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Villa labelled a "shambles" after coaches suspended

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Stan Collymore today branded Villa a "complete shambles" and said owner Randy Lerner should sell the club if he can't splash the cash this summer.

The claret and blues campaign took another unexpected turn yesterday when the club announced they had suspended assistant manager Ian Culverhouse and head of football operations Gary Karsa pending an internal investigation.

Villa have disciplined the pair amid claims of bullying at the club's Bodymoor Heath training ground.

Gordon Cowans and previously out of favour goalkeeper Shay Given have been temporarily promoted to help in their absence.

Lambert – whose own job is said to not be at risk - has worked with both Culverhouse and Karsa at former clubs Norwich, Colchester and Wycombe before bringing them to Villa Park.

But the decision to suspend them is thought to have his backing following a breakdown in relations and is designed to halt Villa's apparent free-fall toward the drop zone after four straight defeats.

Cowans's promotion will prove a popular move to a disenchanted fanbase but Given's new role is ironic considering the former Republic of Ireland international has been frozen out by Lambert since his arrival.

Given has been taking his Uefa coaching badges and is keen to take on a coaching role when he retires.

Given said: "As players, it's important that each and every one of us take responsibility right now and I'm delighted to play my part in helping the manager and the team go and try to win on Saturday."

Meanwhile Collymore has directed his ire at Lerner, who bought the Midlands club in 2006, has barely been seen at Villa Park in recent seasons and has significantly stripped back investment.

And after hearing of Culverhouse and Karsa's suspensions yesterday, Collymore said: "It is a complete shambles.

"I think I echo a lot of Villa fans thoughts that there are concerns with a lack of clarity and direction from the very top of the club.

"Randy Lerner has been conspicuous by his absence. What Aston Villa fans need come summer time is a clear indication from the owner Randy Lerner as to the direction of the club and whether he has money to spend or not.

"If he doesn't feel committed to Aston Villa, both in his presence and spending the kind of money that you need to be a big Premier League club, then maybe it's time to look a bit further forward to others that will."