Lambert the hero against Villans

Aston Villa's miserable season suffered another damaging blow as a controversial penalty - converted by skipper Rickie Lambert - earned fellow strugglers Southampton a 1-0 victory at Villa Park.

Villa defender Enda Stevens appeared to make no contact on Saints player Jay Rodriguez before he went to ground just inside the box but stand-in referee Mark Halsey - a late replacement for the ill Chris Foy - thought otherwise.

Lambert made no mistake with his 34th minute spot-kick to move Nigel Adkins' side above Villa and complete a double. The harsh reality is Villa have now taken only one point from their last five league games and look set for a season-long battle to stay up.

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