Paul Lambert in the dark over Randy Lerner's Villa future

The claret and blues chief held talks with the chairman on Tuesday after Lerner jetted into Birmingham.

Lerner released a statement on Sunday saying he will deal with the takeover speculation at the end of the season.

He is expected to sell but Lambert insisted he was given no clues over the owner's plans for the club.

He said: "Randy was over here on Tuesday, and we had a chat, but not a long one.

"I know little things that are going on but I'm not privy to the big picture.

"My understanding is that nothing will happen, whether that changes when Randy makes his statement at the end of the season, I'm like you, I'll wait and see.

"But I'm not worried whatsoever, I'm totally relaxed. I can't comment on whether he'll sell. I don't get involved.

"Am I ambitious? Absolutely. Do I want to go as high as can? Of course. But we have to kick on, we're going to need money, the club's too big.

"I fully intend to be here next year and be here as long as I possibly can."

Villa go to Swansea tomorrow five points above the Premier League drop zone after another poor season.

And Lambert admitted Villa need a cash injection if they are going to end their era of struggle.

"The fanbase will want to see big players come here, and there'll be conversations at the end of the season.

"The players I've looked at for next season aren't cheap, but for this club to move on it's got to go that end of the market.

"I understand the uncertainty of Randy being here or not here. But I think he'll make the money position clear in May.

"I'd still want to stay even if there was no money. It's taken knocks for too long now. But I still want to be the manager.

"Money won't always buy you success, but it means you can compete with the top end. I certainly want to be better than this, it's been two years and that's too long."