Holman receives manager's backing

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has promised to give Brett Holman a fair crack of the whip - even though he wasn't signed by him.

The midfielder put pen to paper on a pre-contract agreement with Villa in March before joining from Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar at the end of last season after being tracked by Lambert's predecessor Alex McLeish. The former Norwich manager understands Holman might be concerned about his future but has sought to give him assurances. Lambert said: "If there is one lad who has probably got a bit of trepidation then it would be Brett because it wasn't me who brought him to the club. But I have spoken to him to reassure him and he will get a right fair chance. "I don't know much about him but I have watched some of his games. He did well at Alkmaar so I don't have any worries about him on that score. It's not as if you are going in with a young kid. He is 28. "As long as he works hard and tries to be successful, then he will be the same as everybody. He will get a chance."