Ex-players round on Lerner as Villa lose again

Former Villa midfielder Ray Houghton reckons the club's lack of January signings shows owner Randy Lerner has given up on Premier League survival.

Rock-bottom Villa failed to bring in any new players during the transfer window, their inaction sparking a furious reaction from fans.

With boss Remi Garde now expected to reassess his future in the summer, former striker and radio pundit Stan Collymore has called on supporters to boycott the club's remaining home games in protest against the board.

Villa are 10 points adrift at the foot of the table and Houghton, who made 126 appearances for the club in the 1990s, believes there is no chance of them beating the drop.

"I think they are going down, I think it is as simple as that," he said. "I think the owner, Mr Lerner, probably feels he has spent enough, looked at the books and 10 points off fourth from bottom, probably doesn't think it is a realistic points tally to get back. He has made a big decision and is going to go with the players who are currently there.

"I have heard the quotes from Remi Garde and that is not what he was told when he took over. He felt there would be funds available, in January, to strengthen the squad."

Garde failed to land at least five targets including striker Seydou Doumbia, who moved to Newcastle.

And Houghton added:"To have brought no-one in is quite remarkable in many respects because this is probably the best window for the teams at the bottom."

Collymore, from Cannock, had sympathy for Garde and urged his fellow Villa supporters to vote with their feet.

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Villa's woes were worsened last night in a 2-0 defeat at West Ham which saw Jordan Ayew sent off early in the first half for a senseless elbow on Hammers defender Aaron Creswell.