Lambert against fans protest

Three unofficial fans' websites - Villa Blog, My Old Man Said and A Villa Fan -have called on fellow supporters to boycott the opening eight minutes of theclash with the Reds via an open letter entitled 'We Want Our Villa Back'.

They claim each minute represents one year for the eight owner Randy Lerner hasbeen in charge as they are fed up at the way the club is being run and thedirection it is going.

Villa fans have so far seen their side score just 11 league goals this season in 21games, which is easily the worst record in the top flight.

Lambert said: "I understand the frustration, and nobody is more frustrated than myself.

"Everybody involved with Aston Villa is frustrated at what has happened overthe last five or six years since Martin O'Neill left and the team was in the topsix.

"Martin had this club buzzing at that time, vying for Europe, going great, andwhat's happened has happened.

"But I don't think you can look at the chairman and say it's one guy's fault.It's unfair. He has the club's interest at heart.

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

"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.

"Whoever has planned it, I hope the guy next to them tries to keep them ontheir seat.

"I don't want Aston Villa fans to come to Villa Park - or even away from home- and not see the team win or not be entertained."

Lambert insists he can weather the storm of abuse from the fans as he isdetermined to instead shield his players.

Asked as to how he felt about calls for him to be sacked, he replied: "It'snot great. I'm human, like everybody else, but I'm also big enough and strongenough mentally to handle it.

"But what I don't want it to do is affect the players.

"The fans have been great with me up until late, and I guess now they arewaiting for something to go wrong.

"All I would say to them is stay behind the side. We need their support whentimes are tough."

Lambert has also made it clear he will not quit, adding: "I want to make asuccess of this.

"I'm obviously not happy with the way things are going, with what's happeningin the last third of the pitch. But anybody that knows me knows I'm not one fordowning tools and walking away.

"I've never done that in my football career, and I don't intend to do itnow."