Lambert eyes fresh start

Paul Lambert: Targeting a fresh start with Villa this season Paul Lambert is looking forward to a fresh start with Aston Villa as they return to pre-season training following last season’s disappointments.

New boss Lambert will address the squad in full for the first time since replacing Alex McLeish as manager last month when the players regroup on Thursday.

Villa only finished two points above the Premier League relegation zone and the manager is determined to get the best out of the players.

He said: “It’s the first day for everyone and it’s new and fresh.

When a new manager comes in, there is always a bit of trepidation amongst the players about what is going to happen.

“But we are not going to complicate things and hopefully they will respond and, if they do that, then we’ll be fine.

“I’m not going to ask them to do anything which is alien to them.

I’m going to get them to play to their strengths.” Background Lambert added: “I’ll speak to them as a group and then I might speak to one or two individuals to get a bit of background about what it’s been like.

“I think mentality is important in terms of how you handle things and how you deal with players, and hopefully the players will get the same ideas as myself.” Lambert will look to strengthen his squad and Sheffield United right-back Matthew Lowton is believed to be on his radar.

The current first choice right-back, Alan Hutton, struggled to make an impression after his move from Tottenham although, contrary to speculation, he has not been transfer-listed.