Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has expressed his belief that the team are on the right track to avoid another relegation battle this season.

The Villans have only won two of their last 14 Premier League games and are the lowest scorers in the division, having netted just 11 times in their 18 outings so far this season.

However, Lambert insists that his side will be fine if they continue to play the way that they are and begin to take more of the chances that they create.

"If we keep doing what we are doing and take the chances then we will win more games than not," he told reporters. "There will be so many twists and turns throughout the season, but if we keep doing what we've been doing we will be fine. There are good players like Joe Cole still to come back and if we get everybody fit then we will certainly, the way we are playing, be a match for teams.

"The way we have played over the last few weeks is nothing to do with confidence. If the lads keep doing what they have been doing and creating chances they will go in, as long as they keeping getting into the areas to miss them I will always be happy with them. It's not for the lack of trying. We play football the right way and I cannot ask for any more, other than the score. We look comfortable, our movement is good and I was pleased with all of that.

"We have changed a lot over the last three weeks or so and the players have grasped it really well. They are enjoying having a lot of the ball rather than chasing it. It's a new way and hopefully the fans are enjoying it too. We will keep going with it as it's a way of playing I like to see them play and the more they do it the better they will get. I think we have found a way that really suits us."

Villa, who sit 13th in the Premier League table, five points clear of the bottom three, take on Sunderland in their final match of 2014 on Sunday.