Blues Boss Backs Lambert

David Moyes says new Villa manager can turn Midlands club around.

David Moyes has backed Paul Lambert to rise to the challenge of steering Aston Villa through a ‘transitional period’.

Moyes’ fellow Scot is in his first season in charge at Villa Park having taken over from Alex McLeish in the summer.

McLeish himself suffered a torrid year in charge as he staved off relegation by only a slim margin.

Lambert arrives having done excellent jobs at first Colchester and then Norwich City, and Moyes said: “The team is certainly different to the one they had when Martin O’Neill was there when it was Milner, Downing, Young and a few others so it will take Paul time.

“It is a big job for Paul, but Aston Villa is a great club, a big club and once he gets his teeth into it he will be fine.

“He did really well at Colchester, he did well at Norwich and he's got a big club to work with now. Given time and the chance, he'll make Aston Villa into a really strong club.”

Villa have seemingly been in a state of flux since Martin O’Neill’s departure in 2010 with a large turnover in playing staff.

Moyes added: “Villa have had a young team for quite a while. They have had some really good young up and coming players coming through the Academy set-up they have there.

“So it is definitely a transitional period at Villa. It was last season when Big Alex was there and now with Paul taking over this year.”