Canaries pair wanted by Lambert

Paul Lambert still hopes long-time Norwich assistant Ian Culverhouse and head of football operations Gary Karsa will join him at Villa.

Lambert is expected to be officially unveiled by Aston Villa on Wednesday after he was confirmed the midlanders' new boss on Saturday. Reports say the Scot wants both Culverhouse and Karsa alongside him at Villa Park and will do all he can to lure them - even though the Canaries will dig their heels as both men remain under contract at Carrow Road. Norwich, who also face the prospect of losing striker Grant Holt to Villa, are still hoping to convince Culverhouse and Karsa to stay but, amid reports Chris Hughton will take over from Lambert, they may be allowed to leave if the new manager wants his own backroom staff. Speculation Lambert was lining up sacked Celtic coach Alan Thompson for a role at Villa Park fuelled talk Culverhouse and Karsa could stay but it seems the three men could yet be reunited in Birmingham.