LONDON (REUTERS) - Aston Villa have sacked manager Paul Lambert after the free-falling midlands club dropped into the relegation zone, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.

The final straw for the beleaguered boss was a 2-0 defeat at Hull City on Tuesday which left them third-bottom of the table, putting their unbroken stay in the Premier League in peril.

Villa's seventh loss in 10 games, a run in which they have collected three points and scored only two goals, prompted fans to unfurl a banner calling for Lambert to be sacked.

"Aston Villa Football Club has parted company this evening with manager Paul Lambert," the club said in a statement.

"First-team coach Scott Marshall and goalkeeping coach Andy Marshall will continue to prepare the squad for Sunday's FA Cup tie with Leicester City at Villa Park.

"The club would also like to place on record its thanks to Paul and take this opportunity to wish him every success in the future.

"The club will announce a new manager in due course."

Since back-to back wins against Crystal Palace and Leicester City at the start of December, confidence has drained away at Villa Park and the goals have dried up.