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Paul Lambert has admitted that Aston Villa’s form is simply not good enough – but the manager declined to comment on whether he feels he deserves a bumper new contract.

Having put a brave face on the claret and blues’ decline in recent months, the manager finally said Villa should be much better than they are and revealed he didn’t sign up for seasons of struggle.

Speaking ahead of Saturday afternoon’s Premier League match at Crystal Palace, Lambert revealed he is unhappy with where Villa are at the moment.

But he refused to be drawn when asked by the Birmingham Mail if his own contribution warranted a contract extension and pay rise this summer.

Randy Lerner and Paul Faulkner have opened talks with the 44-year-old about improved terms ahead of the final year of his current deal next season.

Asked about whether he has earned a new deal, Lambert replied: “That will take care of itself, I’ve more pressing priorities.

“Honestly, I think there’s more things to get on with. I think that’s the least of people’s worries.

“I’m not one to look after my own back, that’s not the way I am as person. The team, the club is more important than me.”

In arguably the most candid comments of his 22-month reign, Lambert cast his trademark positivity aside to finally confront a bleaker picture.

“There’s a lot of stuff that people don’t see,” said Lambert.

“Am I happy where we are? No. Did I come to Aston Villa to do this? No.

“This club should be higher, there’s no two ways about it. It’s got a great tradition and a great pedigree.

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“I knew the first few years here would be really hard because of what we had to do. I knew that myself.

“But we have to get this club up there. I’m certainly not sitting here thinking this is good. No, we need to progress.

“There is definitely progress being made. There is a good nucleus of younger players there. That’s definitely an area of major progress.

“But, ultimately, you need to win games.”

In an appeal for time and patience, Lambert admitted trying to transform Villa’s fortunes equated to attempting to turn an oil tanker.

He insists he is respectful of the club’s European Cup pedigree but has told the Villa Park fanbase they must have realistic expectations.

“This is a long, long term project,” said Lambert.

“I always think you earn the right to be where you are. What you’ve got here is a club that’s traditionally a European Cup winner, a club who have won the title before, albeit all those years ago.

“So the history and expectancy levels are there but there’s got to be that realism of ‘right, this is where we are at this minute.’

“You respect the past and embrace it because that’s what it is. We have got to do everything we can to get this club up the ladder. We’ve got to.”

Lambert admits he feels pressure from fans, who have booed Villa off the field after most of their record ten home league defeats.

“Fans pay their money, there’s nothing I can do about that,” he added.

“It’s not nice and nobody wants to hear it but you’ve got to be big enough to take it.

“The same fans were terrific against Chelsea. That’s the nature of the game – it can go like that. They come and they want to watch their team win.

“You’ve just got to turn it around.”