Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert is convinced they're improving after a poor start to the season.

Former manager Alex McLeish, whose reign was heavily criticised, had amassed five more points at a similar stage last season but there is an air of calm around Lambert.

"I think in the last seven games only the two Manchester clubs have beaten us," he said, "I think people tend to overlook that.

"We've been unfairly criticised at times because we are young and people look at us and think 'young team' but if you look at the way things are going at the moment, we are doing really fine."