Lambert insists no panic as Villa flop

The claret and blues lost 1-0 to Fulham at Craven Cottage, leaving them a point above the drop zone in what is their worst top-flight start since the relegation campaign of 1986-87.

But Lambert has complete confidence that there is sufficient mental strength in his squad for the players to turn the situation around.

"I'm not overly concerned. Yes, I want to win, like everybody else, and the crowd want to win. I don't think it will be long before we turn performances into results, I really don't," said the Villa boss.

"It's important that the lads don't get their heads down, and I told them in the dressing room 'you will take knocks along the way, but you'll bounce back from it'.

"It is how you bounce back from it that's most important. I think the lads will be fine, I think they're mentally strong enough to handle it."

Villa's medical staff were today set to assess Nathan Baker after the centre-back limped out at Fulham with an ankle injury after he landed awkwardly.

Baker had replaced Ciaran Clark in the starting line-up. He had picked up a knee injury on international duty while Richard Dunne is still in rehabilitation from a groin problem.