Former Aston Villa midfielder Paul Merson has urged manager Paul Lambert to sign experienced players during the January transfer window.

Lambert is under pressure at Villa Park despite the club currently sitting in 11th position in the Premier League table, but after backing the Scot to succeed, Merson believes that Lambert should steer clear of adding younger players to his squad over the next three weeks.

The 45-year-old told the Birmingham Mail: "I wouldn't sack the manager. I think that he is a good manager. I just think that he has got to break his policy and bring in a bit of experience.

"If you look at Paul Lambert over the years, he likes to work with younger players who are enthusiastic.

"Sometimes you need to bring in people with that little bit more experience. They might question you in training but you've got to be big enough and they will keep you up."

Merson scored 18 goals in 101 league appearances at Villa Park between 1998 and 2002.