Chelsea V Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge : LIVE

27 September 2014 07:59
Chelsea V Aston Villa - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Lambert lines up January targets

Boss Paul Lambert is already preparing his January shopping list after holding talks with the Aston Villa hierarchy.

The Villa Park chief has spoken to new chief executive Tom Fox about his transfer plans for the New Year.

Lambert, who takes Villa to Chelsea on Saturday, will be backed in the transfer market by chairman Randy Lerner.

The American watched Villa lose 3-0 to Arsenal last week, his first home game for almost two years, and will continue to support Lambert with funds.

"I've spoken to Tom Fox about January and whether we need to do something. It depends on personnel and injuries and ultimately the decision will come from the chairman," Lambert told reporters.

"He's never once said: 'you can't do x, y and z'. You put it to him and if he thinks it's too dear he says no. If he thinks it's fine then fine.

"If the chairman thinks it's right he tells me I can if not he tells me no. That's how it should be.

"Randy's been great, really supportive.

"He came last week and I'm pretty sure he will get over to more games.

"I don't get any indication he will take the club off the market. I still think if someone comes in and makes an offer to make Aston Villa stronger and it is right for the chairman it will happen."

Villa go to Chelsea on Saturday after suffering their first Barclays Premier League defeat of the season to the Gunners.

Jack Grealish played 45 minutes of the game and the club are in contract talks with their midfield starlet.

Villa have high hopes for the 19-year-old academy graduate and are speaking to Grealish, along with Fabian Delph and Ron Vlaar, about a new deal.

Lambert said: "Jack is developing. He's nowhere near the finished article. He's at the best place because he can get near the first team.

"He's playing little bits here and there but he's still far from being an established player. Hopefully something will be done.

"You have to put your best foot forward but we're talking. Delph and Vlaar are different to Jack as they are seasoned professionals and we will see what happens."

Vlaar is likely to miss the trip to Stamford Bridge with a calf injury but Delph has recovered from the illness which affected the Villa squad last week. Nathan Baker, Darren Bent, Ashley Westwood and Andi Weimann are all available after sickness.


Source: PA