Lambert left reeling as Villa slump to third thrashing in a week

Crisis club Aston Villa alarmingly dropped deeper into a Premier League relegation battle with another abject performance, losing 3-0 at home to fellow strugglers Wigan.

Paul Lambert, pictured, was confident that his side would bounce back from the 8-0 trouncing at Chelsea last Sunday, but a 4-0 home reverse to Spurs on Boxing Day and yesterday’s miserable effort suggests that the Scot has a major fight on his hands to arrest the decline. Villa never recovered from a disastrous start when Ivan Ramis gave the Latics the lead after three minutes. Two goals early in the second half from Emmerson Boyce and Arouna Kone sealed it.

Villa would have fallen into the bottom three were it not for a superb comeback from ten-man Stoke. Southampton had led 3-1 at the Britannia thanks to strikes from Rickie Lambert, Jay Rodriguez and an Andy Wilkinson own goal. Kenwyne Jones had got Stoke’s goal and Matthew Upson made it 3-2 after 67 minutes, only for the Potters to have Steven Nzonzi dismissed for a tackle on Jack Cork. But Cameron Jerome popped up in stoppage time to make it 3-3.

Ten-man Manchester City came out on top in a seven-goal thriller at Norwich to avoid falling further behind in the battle for the title. City looked to be cruising after Edin Dzeko bagged a brace inside the opening four minutes, but Anthony Pilkington pulled one back before Samir Nasri was dismissed following a confrontation with Sebastien Bassong. The visitors made light of the disadvantage to go 3-1 up through Sergio Aguero, but Norwich fought back as Scotland international Russell Martin found the net. But a Mark Bunn own goal sealed a 4-3 win, despite Martin’s second.

Swansea’s impressive campaign continued with a 2-1 win at Fulham. Danny Graham put the Swans ahead and Jonathan de Guzman doubled their advantage, meaning Bryan Ruiz’s goal was not enough.

Tottenham came from a goal down to beat Sunderland 2-1. John O’Shea put the Black Cats ahead but a Carlos Cuellar own goal and an Aaron Lennon strike gave Spurs the points.

Reading gave their survival hopes a boost as they beat West Ham 1-0 after Pavel Pogrebnyak capitalised on a James Collins error.