Saturday 7 February 2015 14:23, UK
Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has admitted his disappointment not to have signed a new striker during the transfer window.
Villa were heavily linked with Liverpool's Rickie Lambert but Sky sources understand he turned down a deadline-day move to Villa Park.
Lambert's side have struggled for goals this season, and failed to score for a sixth successive Premier League game - a club record - when losing 5-0 at Arsenal last Sunday.
The Scot admits he was disappointed not to freshen his squad but is confident of an upturn in fortunes with the return to form of last year's leading scorer Christian Benteke.
I think the one or two things that fell through were quite disappointing but that's football.
"We tried one or two things to make it happen but it's like anything you are never quite sure until somebody walks through your door and gets signed," said the former Norwich manager.
"I think the one or two things that fell through were quite disappointing but that's football. I don't know how far (the Lambert move) got and it's probably unfair of me to comment on that."
He did manage to secure the services of winger Scott Sinclair from Manchester City on loan and forward Carles Gil from Valencia for £3.2m and is hopeful they will help the club maintain their top-flight status.
"I brought in Carlos and Scott to try and help that side of our game," he said. "Carlos has been excellent for us and Scott has just got here so it might take him one or two games just to get ready.
"I was happy with the way Scott contributed when he came on against Arsenal, even though it was a difficult match for him to come on.
"We have to get that last third of the pitch right, that is where you win games, obviously you have to have a strong defence and we never had that against Arsenal and it's something we have to improve on."
Villa's main source of goals was expected to come from Benteke but the Belgian striker has struggled to rediscover his form with just three goals in 17 games since returning from a ruptured Achilles in October.
"If I had Christian right on his game, performing when he was back from injury, I'm pretty sure I'd have long list of clubs knocking down the door for him," Lambert added.
"He's had a dip in form, he's human like everyone else. We can't rest everything on his shoulders. We're working hard to get him back to what we know he can do. It's something we have to get him through.
"You don't have the talent he's got and fall that far. Everyone has dips in form, it's more noticeable in him and everyone alludes to what he did in his first year."
