Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert can't believe Nigel Adkins is facing sack talk at Southampton.

Adkins has taken Saints from League One to the top flight in consecutive seasons.

And Lambert, whose Aston Villa side visit St Mary's today, believes it is too early to call for his head.

Lambert said: "After what he's done for them, four games in is a bit ridiculous. I think that's really unfair. But you never know what's round the corner. No game is easy in the Premier League, it's unforgiving.

"It's getting harder and harder every season. But Nigel's earned the right for what he's done over the last few years. We were playing them at Norwich a few years ago in League One and the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

"They've come a long way in a short space of time.

"If you make a knee-jerk reaction, then you're back to square one again."