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Aston Villa is a proud and noble name in English football.

It is an historic club at the heart of our community, a founding father of the beautiful game.

But this great club is now on its knees and the Holte End is hurting - and we can no longer stand by and watch that happen.

Today the Birmingham Mail makes one simple, stark request to the Aston Villa board: sack the manager.

Paul Lambert is not the man to save this club from relegation and the long-term damage that disaster will bring.

We do not say this lightly, nor do we take any pleasure in saying that Lambert should go.

The Birmingham Mail has been as patient as many of the claret and blue fans, standing by and hoping things will improve.

Despite the results, despite the performances.

But time is now up.

No progress has been made under Lambert. In fact, this once mighty club is now staring relegation in the face.

A relegation that would cost the club a lucrative share of the new £2 billion Sky and BT television deal.

Dropping down a division would be a disaster financially, and one from which Villa may never recover.

As custodian of the club, Randy Lerner must ensure it doesn’t happen.

Nostalgia: Vintage Villa

Lambert has presided over just two Premier League victories in 20 matches since agreeing a bumper new four-year deal in mid-September.

The poor, and too often dull, performances mean the team is last on Match Of The Day nearly every week - and at this rate destined for an even later Saturday night slot on the Football League show next season.

That’s why Villa must act now - before it’s too late.

Awful football, declining attendances, and post-match excuses that beggar belief.

Aston Villa should not be aiming to survive - they should be aiming to strive, to compete in the higher reaches of the league.

Long-ball football has been replaced by an equally unsuccessful possession-based style of play.

Now the manager says his side must play ugly football to get themselves clear of relegation - and they will, he says.

We don’t believe Lambert anymore. He is out of ideas, there is nothing left for him to say to his players that he hasn’t said already.

We respect his integrity and loyalty, but the fans don’t want him.

The fans deserve better.

Enough is enough.

poll loading After another defeat in Villa's winless run would you sack or back Paul Lambert? 500+ VOTES SO FAR Back him, give him cash to do the job properly Sack him, enough is enough

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Andy Gray - Aston Villa are heading for relegation, change is necessary