Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert believes that his side have an advantage over teams that have recently become involved at the bottom end of the table.

The likes of Sunderland and Stoke City have failed to perform in recent weeks, and that has seen them move nearer to the relegation zone.

Lambert has seen his team occupy a place in the bottom quarter of the Premier League for the majority of the season, and the former Norwich City boss has insisted that could help them in their final seven games.

The 43-year-old told Sky Sports News: "Every team in the bottom half of the table is in a battle now. We are four points off 12th place and for much of the season we have been accustomed to this situation.

"We've been living through it and we've dealt with the pressures it brings.

"Suddenly, there are other teams that have been pulled into it, teams who haven't had to get their heads around it and we'll see now what happens."

The Villa Park outfit are currently in the relegation zone on goal difference.