Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has insisted that his team is gradually improving despite their indifferent form this season.

The Villans are currently in 11th place in the Premier League table, seven points above the relegation zone.

While Lambert admits that his players have underperformed during the current campaign, he is confident that they are heading in the right direction.

"We are a young team and we are miles from where we want to be," the Scot is quoted as saying by the Birmingham Mail. "But we are slowly but surely getting there and if they keep growing and being confident their careers will keep going.

"They're a young group and you try to keep them positive, even when there is a drop."

Villa return to action on Saturday when they travel to Manchester City in the Premier League.