Report: Paul Lambert asked Aston Villa to sack him TWICE before they finally did

Third time is a charm...

As Aston Villa prepare for an FA Cup tie with Leicester this weekend, the fallout from the dismissal of manager Paul Lambert continues. Today's Telegraph report an unusual story that says the Scot asked to be sacked TWICE before owner Randy Lerner finally did the deed. John Percy writes that during the summer, and earlier this year, Lambert asked Lerner to sack him as the manager became frustrated over the limited funds available to him. They say that Lambert advised Lerner that the club were headed for disaster if they didn't open the purse strings but he was persuaded to stay on. Of course, Lambert also signed a new four-year deal with the club in September so he must have been happy at that stage but it seems the relationship finally fell apart on Wednesday when Villa chief executive Tom Fox called Lambert to tell him his time was up. Last night, Lerner issued a statement on the dismissal of Lambert. "Following several brutally challenging years at Villa, Paul Lambert arrived with a fresh view and a proven style and track record. It was our hope, and belief, that Aston Villa would find its footing and strengthen during Paul’s tenure with the club. "Adding players and investing in the squad over the last three years has strengthened Villa, and it is our hope that given the quality, leadership and team spirit at Bodymoor Heath that we can rise to the occasion for the remainder of the season. "I want very much to thank Paul for his commitment to me personally, and to Villa, and wish him well personally and professionally in his future endeavors."