Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has insisted that the club have a healthy future if the its younger players can continue their development.

Villa beat Reading on Tuesday night with what was the youngest starting lineup in Premier League history, and Lambert has admitted that the players have already exceeded his expectations.

Lambert told the Birmingham Mail: "Someone tells me it is the youngest Villa side in the Premier League so it's unbelievable what they've done.

"It bodes well for the future because they will grow together. They need to get more experienced but it is definitely good for the future.

"We are only a few points off mid-table so we're not a millions miles away. The young lads have been exceptional since Sunderland. I couldn't ask for any more from them."

Villa are currently sitting in 17th place in the Premier League table.