Aston Villa midfielder Marc Albrighton has admitted that there was a better vibe in the dressing room that helped his side claim a point from their Premier League clash with Southampton.

Villa coaches Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa were suspended earlier in the week, and in their absence Paul Lambert's side ended a run of four straight defeats.

Albrighton told The Mirror: "There wasn't one bit of ­negativity from the fans, staff or players, everything was positive. That is the way it should be. The lads have been fantastic in training and training has probably been a step up this week.

"It's been a higher tempo, and on Friday we had a real sharp session down here at the ground. It was really good and we took that into the game."

Lambert's side are 15th in the Premier League, five points clear of the relegation zone.