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Paul Lambert has been here before with Aston Villa in a worrying tailspin battling the drop.

But the very fact it is the third successive season has made it so hard for Villa fans to stomach.

It is clear many have had enough and the unrest that surfaced at the end of last season is building up again, into a volcano ready to explode.

(Image: Neville Williams)

Fans do not care about the wage bill being substantially reduced or the fact the Scot has operated on a limited net spend of around just £30million since arriving in June 2012.

Supporters want victories and goals. And these have both been in dire, short supply at Villa Park this season.

Goals scored per game Premier League

Right now there is one possible silver lining to this season and Lambert's Villa career and that is the FA Cup.

While Villa remain in it, Lambert says his side are 'in it to win it' and that is his possible salvation as I see it.

A fifth round home tie against Premier League basement side Leicester on Sunday should be winnable.

Then you are looking at the quarter-finals, with a lot of the top sides, like Chelsea and Manchester City, already out.

Progression in the competition will probably be just enough to head off disgruntled fans from open revolt.

(Image: Action Images)

Check out:Mike Walters' player ratings from the KC Stadium

My colleague Mike Walters was reporting at Hull last night where Villa suffered their fifth successive League loss and slipped into the drop zone.

Reading Mike's report and tweets, it is clear the mood has turned toxic among fans, who unfurled a big 'Lambert Out' banner.

I have not heard any indication yet to suggest want-away owner Randy Lerner's rock solid support for Lambert is wavering – especially after only giving him a new four-year contract last September.

I can only see that situation changing under a new owner and perhaps the new mega-money TV deal will attract a buyer out of the woodwork to snap up and re-energise this ailing club.

It does have most things going for it: a big fan-base, top training ground and academy, super stadium, a proud history and some decent players like Delph, Guzan, Benteke (when on it) & new boy Carles Gil.

(Image: Getty)

But supporters have been success-starved since their last trophy in 1996 when they won the League Cup.

And it is going to take a mouth-watering FA Cup run for many fans, who initially clamoured for Lambert's appointment from Norwich, to start backing him again.

Victory on Sunday might at least give the side and supporters some momentum and hope which can also halt their worrying slump in the top-flight.

Because at the moment no-one can deny the stats say Aston Villa will go down and that is an unthinkable scenario for all those associated with the club.

Aston Villa under Paul Lambert Wins (%) 24.8% Loss (%) 49.5% Failed to score (%) 42.6% (Over three seasons)

Tuesday night's Premier League action: