Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert retains the full support of club owner Randy Lerner despite his side dropping into the Premier League relegation zone.

Villa fell into the bottom three after Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat by Southampton and have collected only one point from the last five games. But speculation that Lambert’s job is under threat is regarded as “just total nonsense” by club sources.

It is believed that Lambert’s position has not even been an issue for discussion and Lerner recognises it is a long term project to rebuild Villa. He also is mindful of the potential of Lambert who twice led Norwich to promotion and established them in the Premier League before moving to Villa in the summer.