football Aston Villa appoint Paul Lambert from Norwich City

[Rappy Veteran]

Aston Villa have confirmed that Norwich City boss Paul Lambert has been appointed as their new manager.

Lambert, 42, succeeds his fellow Scot Alex McLeish, who was sacked the day after the final game of the season.

Lambert guided the Canaries to back-to-back promotions from League One and they finished 12th in their first season back in the Premier League.

The former Livingston, Wycombe and Colchester boss becomes Villa's fourth manager in less than two years.

A Villa statement confirmed: "The board are delighted to confirm that Paul Lambert has been appointed manager."

Lambert, who offered his resignation to Norwich on Friday but saw that rejected, had recently described speculation he could leave Carrow Road as "absolute nonsense".

He will relish the challenge of reviving Villa, who finished two points above the relegation zone in their second consecutive disapponting season.

Norwich chief executive David McNally had previously told the BBC that he was ready for a fight to keep Lambert at the club.

Lambert, who enjoyed spells at Celtic and Borussia Dortmund in his playing days, moved to Carrow Road in August 2009 when the Canaries were in the third tier.

Lambert is expected to be given money to spend after McLeish spent last season reducing what he described as an "astronomical" wage bill.

The new boss will also be able to use the money he generates from the sale of current Villa players.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18307066

[mulligan2k]

good stuff, maybe get grant holt too now, to fill the massive hole that emile heskey has left ;)