Villa should have been four-up, says Lambert

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert conceded his side only have themselves to blame after squandering a two-goal lead against West Brom.

Goals from Christian Benteke and Gabriel Agbonlahor gave the Villains a clear lead at the halftime interval but they failed to repel a fast finishing West Brom side who secured a point thanks to goals from Chris Brunt and Peter Odemwingie.

While Lambert was thrilled with Villa’s first half performance, he was unimpressed with their showing in their second half along with their inability to wrap up the points when they had the chance.

“I thought we were excellent in the first-half. We should have been out of sight, it should have been finished,” Lambert said.

“We should have been four up. That would have killed the game. The way we played in the first-half was excellent.

“In the second half West Brom came out strongly but you expect that. They are the home side.

“It was disappointing not to win the game because it should have been finished in the first half.”

While failing to claim victory, the point was sufficient to move Villa out of the bottom three and despite their struggles this season Lambert is confident they can overcome the threat of relegation.

“I have always thought we would do it (avoid the drop). I have always thought that.

“If you look at the league in mid-table, it’s really, really tight.”

West Brom boss Steve Clarke meanwhile was full of praise for his side’s second half display but admitted he was unhappy with how the Baggies began the game.

“I’m not sure relief was the emotion. The emotion was disappointing at the way we played in the first half,” he said.

“We knew Villa are a dangerous team but we didn’t show our qualities in the first half.

“We didn’t pass the ball like we can and it was nice to get in at half-time and regroup.

“The second half was much improved and there was a little bit of pride at the way we played.”