Aston Villa plotting to upset Manchester City's title bid

Villa go to the Etihad Stadium tonight with City on the brink of their second Premier League crown. Victory will move them two points clear of Liverpool ahead of the season's finale on Sunday.

But after Villa secured safety this week Lambert is ready to unleash his players to cause a major upset.

"Whatever team Manchester City put out they've got world class players, but we'll go there in a lot better state than we were in before the win over Hull, that's for sure," he said.

"It's over and finished with, so you can go there with the shackles off and the pressure not on."

Villa also go to Tottenham on Sunday after the weekend's 3-1 win over Hull and Norwich's 0-0 draw with Chelsea guaranteed survival.

Gabby Agbonlahor could miss out tonight with a knee injury.

after limping off against the Tigers with Jordan Bowery standing by.

The striker replaced Agbonlahor on Saturday and impressed – despite scoring an own goal – and Lambert believes he deserves a shot.

"There's a good chance Jordan will be involved," he said. "I need to see how Gabby is and how Andi (Weimann) is, but there's a good chance. It was a massive performance from Jordan and I'm delighted for him actually.

"A little bit more belief in his brain and he could do really well. If he gets little bit more belief in his own mind that he's earned the right to be at this club then he could be a really good player, but I thought his performance was outstanding.

"I thought his performance, running the channels, getting hold of the ball and his workrate, was excellent. He did great down the channel for Andi's second goal and he will have been feeling it and tired after the match but he was fantastic.

"He's only a young kid, but he's got a right good opportunity to go and try and do something as a footballer. If he performs like that then he gives you a problem."