Paul Lambert not solely to blame for Aston Villa's problems, says Jamie Carragher

Jamie Carragher says he is not surprised that Paul Lambert has been sacked by Aston Villa – but has questioned the club’s timing.

Lambert departed on Wednesday evening after a run of 10 matches without a Premier League victory saw them drop into the relegation zone for the first time this season.

A 2-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Hull City on Tuesday night was the final act of a Lambert’s reign.

But Sky Sports pundit Carragher is not convinced anybody else could have done any better than Lambert, and he says the blame for Villa’s slide into the bottom three cannot solely be laid on him.

Carragher wrote on social media: “I don't think Paul Lambert can complain too much at Aston Villa's decision tonight.

“The timing is strange albeit they are now in the bottom three – why not do it earlier? What managers are available? No transfer window & less games to turn it around.

“They have been close to going down for 4/5 years which shows it’s not just Paul Lambert as other managers have found it tough.

“The lack of investment is killing the biggest club in the midlands.”