Former Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert says he is not surprised by the clubs struggles in the Premier League this season. Villa are rooted to the foot of the table on 16 points - having won just three games all season - 12 points from safety with just seven matches remaining.And Lambert, in charge at Villa Park between 2012 and 2015, has told Sky Sports News HQ the writing has been on the wall for a while, and believes their problems come down to player recruitment. I could see it coming, just because the way it was happening, said the Blackburn manager. I can only speak on my time - but that club deserves big players. We tried to bring in Lukaku, Bony and others. No disrespect to the ones we got in, but we couldnt go out and do that type of deal. It was too rich for us. Christian Benteke, Lamberts only big signing at Villa Park Christian Benteke was the only big one we could get, and even then he was only 7m euros at the time. So you had to work round the restraints of it. The young French players that have come in are probably good players, but Aston Villa needs big players.Maybe three or four leaders in your team - that football club needs big players to handle a crowd and the expectancy. Any team that wins a European Cup should never be in this position. Jordan Ayew has struggled at Villa since £8m arrival from Lorient History attaches to it, and that should attract bigger players. I think theyve suffered, not just in my time, but even before. The last good period was when Martin ONeill was there (2006-2010) and he had them going brilliantly.Lambert was speaking alongside Ray Wilkins on Sky Sports Now, and Wilkins, who was assistant manager to Tim Sherwood at Villa earlier this season, does not think there is any way back for the club now.Yes, they are relegated. I dont think they can get out of it. There isnt any way, shape or form they can get out of this situation. They just keep losing games unfortunately. I dont think they can get out of it. There isnt any way, shape or form they can get out of this situation. They just keep losing games unfortunately. Ray Wilkins Paul is right, you have to keep progressing. Once youve won something, you have to keep adding to that. The support base is magnificent and the set-up is incredibly good. But, when a manager is employed to do a specific job, one of them is to recruit players.But not only at Aston Villa, theres been more of an input (from others) into which players are coming in, and for me it has to be 100% on the manager if player is to come in. Ray Wilkins (second right) was assistant to Tim Sherwood last season It has to be down to the manager. He will eventually take the blast from the supporters. The supporters only see whats on the field of play. They want to see their team win.When they do go down, the Championship is so tough. Its going to be extremely difficult, but rotation will have to come into play next season. The games come thick and really fast. Also See: Bernstein: No short-term fix Garde set to leave Villa - reports Villa near drop after defeat Transfer Centre LIVE! Nat Moore Jersey .C. -- Gleason Fournier scored the shootout winner as the Grand Rapids Griffins defeated the Abbotsford Heat 4-3 Friday in American Hockey League action. Cameron Wake Jersey .com) - The Pittsburgh Penguins will try to complete a sweep of the Washington Capitals when the clubs cap a quick home-and-home series Tuesday night in the Steel City. http://www.authenticdolphinspro.com/Customized/ . Durant had 33 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, hit the tying 3-pointer late in regulation and made the go-ahead foul shots in overtime to lift the Thunder past the Wizards 106-105. John Wall missed a driving layup attempt at the buzzer for Washington, which was seeking its third straight win. Bob Griese Jersey . -- The San Francisco 49ers have re-signed cornerback Perrish Cox to a one-year contract. Miami Dolphins Jerseys .C. - The housecleaning continues for the B.WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Jets could be getting three key players back for Saturdays game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Coach Paul Maurice says he expects forwards Dustin Byfuglien and Jim Slater and defenceman Zach Bogosian to skate in the morning and hes fairly optimistic they will be able to dress for the game. All three missed Wednesdays game against the Colorado Avalanche, but the Jeets still pulled a 5-4 overtime win out of the hat.dddddddddddd Slater skated Friday and is also a new father, as his appropriately-named daughter Win was born Wednesday. Maurice says hed be making decisions about who plays after the morning skate. But the coach says goaltender Ondrej Pavelec isnt ready to return, although he may be able to play when the Jets face Dallas on Monday. ' ' '