Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has pleaded with fans to ditch the jeers for this weekend's clash with Liverpool.

Angry supporters are threatening to boycott the first eight minutes against Liverpool - one for every year Randy Lerner has owned the club.

Lambert said: "Whoever has planned it, I hope the guy or girl next to them tries to keep them on their seat.

"I understand the fans' frustrations, but we'll have a better chance of winning a game of football if they don't do it and if they stick with the lads, no matter how hard it gets at times.

"I'm hoping they don't do it. I'm hoping, if the guy in the next seat gets up to go, someone says: 'Come on, back the team.'

"When the stadium is behind the players it's a great place to play football, and we've a better chance of winning if they don't do it.

"It's a brilliant support we've got, but we need those fans now."