Tuesday, 23rd April, 2013
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has called on his side to capitalise on home advantage when they face Paolo Di Canio’s Sunderland next Monday at Villa Park, adding the game will be "massive".
As it stands, Aston Villa – who have won only two of their last five games – are in 17th place on 34 points, three points clear of the drop zone with just four games to play. Meanwhile their opponents Sunderland are in 14th on 37 points, level on points with Stoke and Newcastle, edging ahead only on goal difference.
The close proximity in both position and points of both teams provides Aston Villa an opportunity to ensure safety at Sunderland’s expense – a prospect that Lambert wants to exploit.
"We have got a massive game on Monday night and we have to try and win it", Lambert told the BBC. "Sunderland are going well themselves but it is an opportunity for us.
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"We are at home. We know what we have to do and that’s a good thing", the Scotsman continued.
"We are getting better and I still think so many things will happen between now and the end of the season in that little group of teams at the bottom of the table."
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