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Paul Lambert is determined to lead Aston Villa forwards following a meeting in New York with owner Randy Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner. #INSERT type:image caption:Villa have finished 15th in each of Lambert's seasons in charge. END# • Jolly: Lerner leaves at a loss
• Villa end-of-season review Lerner announced earlier this month that he has put the club up for sale and there was some doubt as to whether Lambert, who has overseen consecutive 15th-place finishes, would remain at Villa Park. However, while he acknowledges there will be little money to reshape the squad until a new owner is found, he has outlined his determination to continue. He told Villa's official website on Monday: "As everybody is aware, I met with the chairman along with Paul and I'm determined to get on with the job of managing Aston Villa. "These circumstances are extremely challenging as the club is for sale and as far as I know there is nothing imminent in terms of new ownership, but we're going to roll up our sleeves, prepare for the battle ahead and do our best by the club. "The squad requires strengthening, that's self-evident, and it won't be easy within the current circumstances, but we'll look to identify players of proven quality to bring in and get ready for the start of the new season. "To the fans, my message is simple -- this is your club and it's a fantastic club. Your support has made it into this. The past two seasons have been tough and expectations, rightly, are high. But success is always built on everybody working together and the circumstances now require us all to pull together and stick together and try to galvanise ourselves for this challenge we face. "I'm determined to give it everything I have, the players will do the same and it is our collective strength as a club which, ultimately, will see us through." Lambert had spent three seasons at Norwich before joining Villa, during which time he led the club from League One to the Premier League and then finished 12th in the top flight. He has received public backing from Lerner in recent times despite discontent among supporters.
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