Paul Lambert would be well advised to dip into the transfer market for a striker, because if Aston Villa carry on at this rate they will earn the dubious title of becoming the worst attacking team in Premier League history.

It’s no secret that Villa have struggled for goals this season, netting just 11 times in 23 games, but their inadequacies are laid bare when compared with previous problem strikeforces.

The infamous Derby County side of 2007-08 – relegated after failing to compete all season, winning just once – managed more goals per game than Lambert’s side are currently trundling along at.

Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke looks frustrated during his side's 5-0 defeat by Arsenal

Paul Lambert does not believe his side have any reason to be lacking confidence in attack

Gabriel Agbonlahor has scored just three Premier League goals for Lambert this season

Andreas Weimann (No 10) had more woe in front of goal after he failed to beat David Ospina

VILLA'S STRUGGLES CLUB GOALS GAMES PER GAME 2014/2015 Aston Villa 11 23 0.48 2007/2008 Derby County 20 38 0.53 2002/2003 Sunderland 21 38 0.55 2005/2006 Sunderland 26 38 0.68 1996/1997 Leeds United 28 38 0.74 2008/2009 Middlesbrough 28 38 0.74 2005/2006 Birmingham 28 38 0.74 2013/2014 Norwich City 28 38 0.74 2006/2007 Man City 29 38 0.76 2006/2007 Watford 29 38 0.76 2002/2003 West Brom 29 38 0.76 2001/2002 Sunderland 29 38 0.76 2000/2001 Bradford City 30 38 0.79 2012/2013 QPR 30 38 0.79 2001/2002 Leicester City 30 38 0.79 1994/1995 Crystal Palace 34 42 0.81

Their drought now stands at 10 hours and 12 minutes. It’s led to growing calls for Lambert to be shown the door by Randy Lerner, but the Scot appears to be safe for now.

Incidentally, Derby scored 20 times that fateful season under Billy Davies and Paul Jewell.

Villa need nine more to draw level with 15 games remaining. They wouldn’t even manage that if nothing changed.

The teams currently have an identical record after 23 games which, given the Rams’ terrible run of form, makes very grim reading indeed.

The two teams have the joint-worst record at this stage.

Lambert has wanted to land a striker this month but it remains to be seen whether he can get a body in to truly compete with Christian Benteke.

One of the major problems for Villa, of course, has been the failure to get the Belgian firing after he recovered from injury.

They need to get someone in, otherwise the responsibility to score more goals befalls Andreas Weimann and Gabriel Agbonlahor; nobody wants that.

The pair are Lambert's top scorers in the league.

Three each after playing more than 40 games combined.

It is a shambolic return and one which doesn't appear ready to change any time soon, with Chelsea to come next weekend.

Hossam Ghaly was part of the Derby team to have failed miserably in the Premier League in 2007-08

Olivier Giroud chips the ball over the on-rushing Brad Guzan to score the opening goal of the game

Mesut Ozil fires in the Gunners' second goal after a well-timed through ball from Giroud