*The Independent*
Tuesday, 15 April 2014

*Aston Villa have suspended assistant manager Ian Culverhouse and head of football operations Gary Karsa pending an internal investigation.*

Gordon Cowans and Shay Given have been temporarily promoted to assist manager Paul Lambert, the club said.
Villa have not explained why Culverhouse and Karsa were disciplined.

The duo joined the club after Lambert was appointed in June 2012, having worked with the Scot at Colchester, Wycombe and Norwich.

Former Villa midfielder Cowans, 55, steps up from his role as development coach, while Given, 37, is the team’s reserve goalkeeper and only returned from a loan spell with Middlesbrough at the end of February.

“I’m delighted to have Gordon and Shay to assist me in preparing the team for Saturday, which is what the whole group is focused on,” said Lambert.

Given added: “As players, it’s important that each and every one of us take responsibility right now and I’m delighted to play my part in helping the manager and the team go and try to win on Saturday.”

Defeats in their last four matches have seen Villa slip to 14th in the Premier League table, four points above the relegation zone, going into Saturday’s home game against Southampton.
---
*BBC Sport*
Tuesday, 15 April 2014

“Paul Lambert’s judgment has to be questioned now two close colleagues he has worked with at four clubs have been suspended. But I understand he wanted this.

“It may look as though Lambert is in deeper trouble after this, but I understand he has been fully supported by owner Randy Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner.

“A run of 15 points from the last 19 games would be enough ammunition for many owners to sack their manager, but I hear Lerner remains fully behind Lambert.”

*Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert says he cannot discuss the reasons why Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa have been suspended by the club.*

The coaching duo were suspended on Tuesday, pending an internal investigation, and replaced by Gordon Cowans and Shay Given.

“You will need to appreciate that because of a legal investigation I cannot comment on it,” said Lambert.
Villa, who have lost their last four games, host Southampton on Saturday.

Like Lambert, Villa have made no public comment on the reasons for suspending assistant manager Culverhouse and head of football operations Karsa.

The Villa boss did say that his relationship with club owner Randy Lerner remained “excellent”.

But he added: “Like me, Randy knows we need to be doing better. We owe it to our fans, who’ve been fantastic to us this season.”

Villa go into Saturday’s game against Southampton lying 14th in the Premier League, four points above the relegation zone.

Of their final five games, two are at Villa Park, before Lambert’s side finish their season with away fixtures at Manchester City and Tottenham.

Former Villa midfielder and European Cup winner Cowans, 55, has stepped up from his role as development coach to assist Lambert.

Goalkeeper Given, 37, has not played for the club in nearly 15 months and recently returned from a loan spell with Middlesbrough.
---
To play the way we did in the second half, against a good Southampton side, I cannot fault the effort.

“The lads deserve enormous credit and with their energy and desire I couldn’t be prouder. Our goal difference is pretty good, so we’ll probably need one more win [to be safe from relegation].

“After the events of this week, that performance shows evidence of the players’ commitment.”

Paul Lambert, Saturday, 19 April 2014.