Former Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey has warned the club's supporters that they should expect a season of struggle.
After making a promising start to the Premier League campaign, Paul Lambert's side have lost their last five games and sit two points clear of the relegation zone.
Villa's latest defeat came at the hands of Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road on Monday evening.
"It is going to be a long, long season for Villa, just like last year. I can't see where they are going to get the goals from," Heskey told talkSPORT.
"They are playing young lads, who are just not experienced in playing a full Premier League season, with the demands that come with it.
"Nathan Baker and Ciaran Clark are good players, but they are just young lads. They have got Ron Vlaar alongside them, who had a great World Cup, but they are still conceding goals."
Villa host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Steven Toplis
