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Lambert: No cash splash at Villa

Randy Lerner is taking the cautious route in the January transfer window © Getty Images

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Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has said club owner Randy Lerner will not be providing big funds to enable the club to spend their way out of relegation trouble.

Two years ago, former Villa manager Gerard Houllier set a new club record with the £24 million signing of Darren Bent from Sunderland, which helped steer the Midlanders clear of danger.

But Lambert has made it clear there is "no chance whatsoever" of another major transfer investment from American Lerner to buy the club out of the Premier League's bottom three.

Houllier spent £30 million in January 2011, with Jean Makoun arriving alongside Bent, but those days are long gone and Lambert is shopping in a far more modest market.

"We're trying to do something within the structure of the club, but we won't be able to do that [to spend heavily], not a chance," Lambert said.

Lambert spent £20 million on signings last summer and is believed to have a small budget, which could be increased by the sale of fringe players like Alan Hutton and Stephen Warnock, this month. Whatever happens, the manager is comfortable with the position he finds himself in and said he had no problems with Lerner's prudent attitude towards further investment.

"I get on really well with Randy. He really has been great with me. I understand where he's coming from on a lot of things, and it is what it is," he added. "I'll work with it and, if I've got to go with the group I've got, then I'll go with it. I don't have a problem. I've got nothing but praise for these lads.

"They give me everything they've got. Yes, I'd like one or two more results to get us out [of] that bottom end. I'd like to get to a cup final like every Villa fan would."

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