Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert believes that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been harshly treated, despite the Gunners' recent poor form.

Wenger has seen his club exit the FA Cup and move to the brink of elimination from the Champions League, but Lambert insists that he has been surprised by the amount of criticism aimed in the Frenchman's direction.

Lambert told reporters: "The level of criticism towards Arsene Wenger is a bit over the top.

"He's been there 16 years and he's just missed out on winning the Champions League against Barcelona. He's won the Premier League several times, he's won the FA Cup several times.

"If that's 'you don't know what you're doing', then I think there's something not right."

Arsenal face Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.