Paul Lambert appointment endorsed by Aston Villa fans

Published on 03/06/2012 00:00

Aston Villa fans have given their backing to the appointment of Paul Lambert who was confirmed yesterday as the club’s new manager. It is understood Lambert, 42, has signed a three-year contract and it is believed Villa have not paid any compensation after Lambert resigned from Norwich City on Thursday having been refused permission to speak to Villa.

Jonathan Fear, of the leading Villa fans website ‘Vital Villa’, said: “I think it is a smashing appointment. He was the No.1 target and they were prepared to wait for him. It is a good, solid appointment and he can have a look from top to bottom at what is needed at Villa.

“He has worked wonders at every club he has been at. We had a poll on our site of 14 managers and he led from start to finish as the first choice. It is the opposite of last year and we’ve got a fans’ favourite coming in this time.”

The reaction is in stark contrast to that which greeted the appointment last summer of Alex McLeish who left Birmingham City to move across the city. McLeish was sacked at the end of a season in which Villa finished 16th, two points clear of relegation.

Lambert, pictured below, received a ringing endorsement from former Borussia Dortmund coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, who won the 1997 Champions League with the Scot playing in midfield. Lambert set up the opening goal in the 3-1 final win against Juventus.

“As a player, he always thought like a coach. He was a leader. He didn’t cost a fortune when I bought him [from Motherwell], and no one expected him to become a key player but he did,” said Hitzfeld. “So it is no surprise that he has become a successful manager.”

Villa’s American chairman Randy Lerner said last month that the club lacked the sort of “compelling play” the fans expected. Lambert is the fourth man in charge at Villa in less than two years.

n Clyde look set to stay at Broadwood rather than move to a new home in East Kilbride. The Third Division side are close to agreeing a five-year deal with landlords North Lanarkshire Leisure Trust to play on a new artificial surface at Broadwood.

Clyde have made contingency plans to play at Alloa’s Recreation Park until the new surface is ready.