Aston Villas young and hungry policy is the right way to go

Paul Lambert will steer Villa clear of trouble this year
Paul Lambert's transfer policy didn't get the Villa faithful particularly excited this summer but the new signings are showing promise and desire in the Claret and Blue shirt - and that will pay dividends, says Hannah Duncan
On Saturday, Aston Villa managed to pick up only their third league win of the calendar year with a 2-0 victory over high-flying Swansea. For their last, you have to go back to March 10 when an Andreas Weimann strike gave them a single-goal win over Fulham. Not necessarily what you'd expect from former European champions.
But the stats get worse. Under last season's stewardship of Alex McLeish, the Claret and Blues endured a torrid time, recording their worst home campaign in their 138-year history, with just 19 points from a possible 57 at Villa Park.
McLeish was ousted over the summer and Paul Lambert, who'd enjoyed an excellent season with Norwich, was brought in. It could be a perfect fit - after the excesses of the Martin O'Neill era, Villa have had to drastically reduce spending and Lambert is a proven operator on a shoestring.
Last season's 16th place finish demonstrates the squad's need for an overhaul, but in the transfer window there weren't as many high-profile changes as the fans would have liked. Belgian international Christian Benteke's 7 million deadline day arrival from Genk was the only signing of any vague note.
But Lambert has also used his limited resources to plunder the lower leagues for - in the Villa boss's own words - 'young and hungry' talent to boost his squad. Matthew Lowton (Sheffield United) has already nailed down a first-team spot, while Joe Bennett (Middlesbrough), Ashley Westwood (Crewe) and Jordan Bowery (Chesterfield) will soon be knocking on the door.
Lambert will be hoping that in time they develop into Premier League players in the same manner as Bradley Johnson, Jonny Howson, Anthony Pilkington and Steve Morison, who flourished under the Scotsman's wing at the Canaries.
Owner Randy Lerner's prudent approach may pay dividends further down the line. Under O'Neill, Villa splashed out on players of an age where they were never likely to be sold on for profit - Richard Dunne, James Collins, Stephen Warnock and Steve Sidwell prime examples.
But the youngsters plucked from obscurity by Lambert could generate Lerner a future return, in the same fashion as Ashley Young, Stewart Downing and James Milner have in the recent past.
The Scot is also not afraid to take big decisions, not only re-signing American 'keeper Brad Guzan after he had been released over the summer, but then backing him ahead of Premier League stalwart Shay Given against Newcastle and Swansea.
The move has so far paid off for Lambert, who has seen his stopper flourish with crucial saves, no more so than from Nathan Dyer at the weekend.
But despite the early signs of the green shoots of recovery, it would be premature of Villa fans to get carried away and dream of the top six finishes they've enjoyed in the past.
Lambert's side are 3.55n/a on Betfair for a top 10 finish this season, but with them also at 5.14/1 for relegation, it demonstrates how tough it is to call Villa's season.
Their next test comes against Southampton on Saturday. Saints boss Nigel Adkins said it would be where his side's season kicks-off, following a horrendous run of fixtures including matches against Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal since their arrival back in the Premier League.
Villa are 3.1511/5 outsiders to take all three points back to the West Midlands, but not only could Adkins be drastically underestimating Lambert's side, he may have just done the Villa Boss's team talk for him.
Recommended Bet
Lay Aston Villa at 5.24/1 for relegation