Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has insisted that the club is still capable of attracting big-name players despite their recent struggles.

The Villans are just three points clear of the relegation zone with two matches remaining, but Lambert believes that they are still appealing to established Premier League stars.

"Do I think this club is still a major attraction? My God, I do - yes," the Daily Star quotes him as saying. "You only have to have walk through the door one minute here to see how massive it is.

"If we can get one through the door, that can set things going and the bigger players you attract, the stronger you get."

He added: "It's not acceptable for this club to be where it is. It's too big. It's huge but everybody knows this club can't keep doing what it is doing."

Villa have been linked with summer moves for Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, England defender Joleon Lescott and Tottenham Hotspur's Lewis Holtby.