Aston Villa have confirmed former Norwich City boss Paul Lambert as their new manager.

Lambert tendered his resignation to the Canaries on Thursday amid reports Villa had made an official approach for his services.

His resignation was not accepted but an agreement has now been reached for the Scot to make the switch to the West Midlands.

A brief statement on Villa's website read: "The board of Aston Villa are delighted to confirm that Paul Lambert has been appointed Villa manager."

The board of Aston Villa are delighted to confirm that Paul Lambert has been appointed Villa manager.
Aston Villa statement

Lambert becomes their fourth manager in less than two years and will be charged by club owner Randy Lerner with the task of revitalising Villa after two seasons in the doldrums.

After three successive top-six finishes under Martin O'Neill, Villa have dropped too close to the Premier League bottom three for comfort.

Gerard Houllier replaced O'Neill but had to quit last year on health grounds, while former Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish was never accepted by the Villa fans.

Lambert fits the profile of being a relatively young, hungry and ambitious manager after working his way through the lower leagues before transforming Norwich's fortunes.

Backing from Bannan
That is certainly the feeling of Villa midfielder Barry Bannan, who said before Lambert's appointment: "He has done very well with Norwich and the clubs he was at before then.

"He has a good record up until now so hopefully if it is Lambert he can be as successful with us as he has with his previous teams.

"Obviously last season wasn't the best for a team as big as us. We should have been way higher up the league and I think (the board) see Lambert as an up-and-coming manager that is doing really well, so it is going to be a massive lift for everyone, the fans and the players as well.

"It is a fresh start for everyone again and hopefully in pre-season everyone is going to have a chance to prove their worth to the club."