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Paul Lambert is in an uncomfortable position right now.

Not only is he desperate for a win and determined to prove his growing number of doubters wrong - he could also do without the hassle of replacing his departed right-hand man, Roy Keane.

Of course, like the struggles he is enduring in the Premier League, finding a new assistant is nothing new to the Scot.

The woes of last season saw him turn to the Irishman this summer after Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa were sacked by the club following their troublesome period on the management team.

Obvious issues, such as how two men with such power and authority could work together, arose when the former Manchester United ace became Lambert’s No.2.

It was Keane’s heavy workload - the club deny there was any training ground bust-up which influenced his swift exit on Friday - that effectively ended his time in the Midlands, though.

Still, Lambert has to decide what to do next in a period where he must have some concerns over his own future at the club.

The timing of Keane’s end was terrible. Villa faced Burnley 24 hours later, Crystal Palace three days after that then Leicester City at Villa Park on Sunday.

PICTURES - Roy Keane's time at Aston Villa:

If ever there was a run of games where the claret and blues needed positive results fast, it is now.

The true depth of Keane’s departure is not yet known as all questions relating to the former No.2 were banned at the post-match Burnley press conference.

Lambert did confirm, however, that he will be taking his time before deciding on a replacement.

One option he may consider is promoting Scott Marshall - the club’s current first-team coach and a long-term trusted ally.

The pair first worked together at Wycombe Wanderers and the ex-Arsenal man took Keane’s seat next to the manager during this weekend’s 1-1 draw at Turf Moor.

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Alternatively the Villa boss could sift through his extensive contacts book and bring in someone who will transform training and hopefully, in turn, Villa’s fortunes.

Saying that, an obvious name doesn’t exactly spring to mind.

What is unlikely is a return to the management team for Shay Given.

The back-up goalkeeper helped fill in towards the latter stages of last season but is still thought to be very much focused on the playing side of the game.

It will not be a rushed decision, as chief executive Tom Fox confirmed.

Villa want to make sure they get the right man for the job. Presumably someone who will stick it out for longer than four months.