Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert believes Saints are facing an uphill battle this season to finish in the top six of the Premier League.

The club’s impressive start to the campaign has sparked hopes that they could upset the top-flight’s established order – and finish in the top six of the top flight for the first time since 1985.

However, Lambert is not expecting Saints to do that.

“I still think we’ll find the usual suspects up there,” said the Villa boss, whose side are currently enjoying the comfort of mid-table.

“They have some experienced heads as well as youth. They are a good side. “To sustain top six or seven is harder than ever. You look at the so-called top-six clubs and it will be hard to break in.”

Lambert does, however, view Saints as something of a model for what he wants to do at Villa Park.

“We’re a few years behind where we want to get to,” he said. “I have to be brave enough to do it.

Southampton have come through and done well. “There are two or three young lads who are performing there and it just shows that if you do get given time then you can maybe get one or two through from the academy.

“The new lads in the side have been at the club a lot longer than the current manager and it’s taken time to get them through, but they’re getting the rewards from it.”

Lambert added: “They’ve done really well.

“They’re a good side, but I’ve always thought that, from when Alan Pardew had them in League One, then Nigel Adkins, and now Mauricio Pochettino.

“The thing is sustaining it. I still expect the usual sides will be up there at the end of the season.

“Southampton have started the season really well.

“They brought in some big players and we have to go down there, get a foothold in it and take the game to them, which we’ll try to do.”