Paul Lambert: Aston Villa deserve more respect

The claret and blues chief believes his side are not getting enough credit this season.

They are 10th in the Premier League – but only six points off the bottom – after Saturday's 2-2 draw at Liverpool.

And Lambert said Villa deserve recognition after their gritty point at Anfield.

He said: "I don't think we get the credit at certain times, I really don't. They have been knocked unfairly in certain aspects of it. But they have been excellent for me.

"I don't know where we were in the league this time last year - but we certainly weren't tenth. I think there is a miss-conception of the way we are going at the moment.

"People think we are doing poor and we are sitting tenth - it's really, really incredible, the perception of it. We have kicked on in a lot of aspects like our goals record, the way we play. Everything goes against us.

"This time last year we were right down."

Villa have a nine day break until they face Albion at home on January 29 with a revitalised Christian Benteke back in form.

The striker scored his second goal in two games after ending a four-month drought to earn praise from Lambert.

He said: "Benteke was excellent today and I don't think there's a quicker player than Agbonlahor down the sides. He is fantastic but I thought the two of them were excellent.

"(Ryan) Bertrand was also excellent. He is a big-time player. He has won the best tournament in club football and there was no doubt about throwing him in.

"He has played in big-time games in front of big crowds. He was outstanding."