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Paul Lambert is still unable to confirm he will definitely be Villa manager next season – and admits he is in limbo until owner Randy Lerner issues a statement next week.

Lambert expressed his relief after the claret and blues ended a worrying run of results to finally confirm Premier League safety with a 3-1 home win over Hull on Saturday.

But asked if he can say with certainty that he will still be boss by the time Villa return to action at Villa Park next season, Lambert could only reply: “I hope so.”

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Lambert acknowledges his own future is completely dependant on what Lerner has to say when he issues a statement after the current campaign ends on Sunday.

There are growing rumours the 52-year-old American billionaire will reveal his desire to sell Villa now they have confirmed their top-flight status for another year.

Lambert, in keeping with the policy of recent Villa managers, declined to join the players on a post-match lap of appreciation at the end of their final home match of the season.

But, with a year left on his current contract, he maintains he wants to stay in charge of the club, despite insisting he is in the dark about Lerner’s intentions.

“I hope so, that is what I want to do, but you’ll know when the chairman says what he is going to do,” said Lambert.

“The next step is for the chairman to come out and say. We had to get over the line and then the chairman will come out and say what he will.”

Asked about a timeframe for Lerner to clarify his position, Lambert said: “I don’t know exactly. The season finishes on Sunday and I am pretty sure he will say it after that.

“You saw the statement as well as myself. I respect the chairman’s statement and what he is going to say.

“It will bring clarity, and it will not be a problem whatever way he wants to play it himself.

‘‘I will respect his decision, no problem with that whatsoever. Randy is a really top guy and I’ve said before it is his club.”

Lambert admits the current state of uncertainty means he must operate on a day-to-day basis and prevents himself and others at the club from planning too far ahead.

“You adapt to it, that is a manager’s life,” he said.

“From one problem you probably go and find another one. I will see what happens.

“All you can do is plan for tomorrow. But that is part and parcel of being a manager.”

Lambert has reiterated his desire to stay on as manager but insists Villa must strive for much more than they have achieved in recent seasons.

“You would love to do it, it is a fantastic club,” said Lambert.

“Albeit the last couple of years have been tough. I think the chairman has said himself I have had to work within the parameters he has set between me and him. You either take the challenge on or bottle it.

“Whatever happens, I’m too long in the tooth to think about it. Whatever happens is going to happen.

‘‘You would love to do it, it is a brilliant club to drive on. That’s why I said the most important thing for this club was to stay in this league.”