Paul Lambert hoping Villa lift FA Cup
Paul Lambert insists he would love to see Villa lift the FA Cup and said he bears no grudge against the club over his sacking.
The 45-year-old was axed by Villa in February after the club's winter slump left them in the relegation drop zone.
Lambert insisted he respected the decision but admitted he was angry at being told of the news over the telephone by chief executive Tom Fox.
"I wasn't disappointed the decision was made but I was disappointed with how it was made," Lambert said.
"I don't think it's good when you're getting a telephone call, I don't think that's the right way it should have been done.
"I was up in Scotland and I got a call at night and that was it. I have a good relationship with Randy Lerner and he's a good guy."
Lambert was forced to cut costs at Villa and added: "It is a massive football club and everyone says we should be in the top six or seven but that could never have been sustained by doing what we were doing.
"The reality is it was never going to hit that height. In the Premier League you have to spend just to stand still and the club is financially stronger now."
Lambert said he delighted to see the turnaround in form under his replacement Tim Sherwood and said would love to see Villa win the Cupagainst Arsenal on May 30.
"I've got nothing bad to say about Aston Villa, it's a brilliant football club and there is no animosity from me whatsoever," he said. "I'm delighted that Tim is doing well and hopefully they can win the FA Cup.
"I've always said they will stay in the league when everyone is fully fit and that is exactly what is going to happen."
Meanwhile, Sherwood said he believes the Premier League is a 'closed shop' when it comes to the title because of the huge cash needed.
Sherwood captained the last team outside the established 'top four' to win the top flight when he was part of the Blackburn team that triumphed in 1995.
"I'm not sure we'll see anyone win the Premier League again outside the top four teams," said Sherwood.
"It will only happen if you can find an (Roman) Abramovich. Money has taken over the game – it goes a long way to success."Villa fans were snapping up FA Cup final tickets yesterday after queuing all through the night, some who waited for nearly 14 hours from 7.30pm on Wednesday.
