Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert keen to move on from 6-1 victory ahead of Norwich match

Lambert stresses task is not over

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert, centre, celebrates on the touchline after Ron Vlaar scores his side's first goal of the game against Sunderland during the English Premier League soccer match at Villa Park, Birmingham (PA)

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert is wary of his players dwelling on the glory of Monday night's 6-1 win over Sunderland, stressing they must “move on” and focus on the job of securing their Barclays Premier League status.

Villa moved five points clear of the relegation zone with the thumping home victory over the Black Cats, who they are now level with - along with Newcastle - on 37 points.

Each of those sides have three games left to play, while directly below them, 18th-placed Wigan have four more fixtures.

Wigan and Villa face each other at the DW Stadium on the final day of the season and ahead of his team's trip to his old club Norwich - who have 38 points - tomorrow, Lambert has been keen to emphasise that the midlands outfit's task is not yet complete.

Reflecting on the Sunderland match, Lambert said: "The way the night transpired, with the crowd and the atmosphere, was fantastic. But it's important to move on.

"We're playing really well at the moment but the minute anyone thinks we've done it...we'll try and avoid that."

Both 19th-placed QPR and rock-bottom Reading's relegation was confirmed last weekend.

Regarding the battle to avoid finishing in 18th place, Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, whose team are at West Brom tomorrow, said: "This season the margins are smaller than ever in that fight.

"It means every team that hasn't got 39 or 40 points is still involved in that fight."

Newcastle are also away tomorrow, travelling to manager Alan Pardew's former club West Ham.

Like their north-east rivals Sunderland - who host Stoke on Monday night - the Magpies conceded six goals last time out, humbled 6-0 at home by Liverpool on Saturday.

Reports of unrest within the dressing room have since surfaced, prompting Newcastle's official website to release quotes from senior men Cheick Tiote and Papiss Cisse insisting that all is well.

And Pardew came out fighting when questioned on the allegations, saying: "As far as I am concerned, the group is very much together, pulling together trying to get a result. There is no problem and we go to the next game."

At the other end of the table, Arsenal visit QPR on Saturday looking for a win to take them back above Chelsea into third in the table, with the Blues not in action until Sunday's clash with champions Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Also on Sunday, Liverpool play Everton in the Merseyside derby at Anfield, while Saturday's remaining games see Fulham entertain Reading, Tottenham welcome Southampton to White Hart Lane and Swansea take on Manchester City at home.