Lambert bans mobiles from Villa dressing room

New Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has banned the use of electronic devices in the club’s dressing room and at training.

Lambert believes the players shouldn’t have these distractions, insisting that, like any other person, they come to training to work and not to play.

At a fans forum earlier this week, Lambert said: “If you are a professional footballer, then it’s not your hobby, it’s your job. I think it’s important. You are at the training ground to work.

“If you train the way you play, then I don’t have a problem with it. But iPhones and iPads are a distraction. I’m here to win football matches, not to play on a phone or computer.”

Since taking over at the beginning of June, Lambert has brought in Ron Vlaar, Matthew Lowton and Karim El Ahmadi as well as selling James Collins to West Ham.

Before the transfer window closes next week, Lambert hopes to bring in a few more faces to strengthen the squad further, with Stoke striker Kenwyne Jones linked with a move to Villa Park.

“I’ve spoken to Randy (Lerner, the club chairman) and we’ve just bounced things off one another. If something can be done, then great. We’ve still got a week to go so we’ll see,” he said.

“We will have to wait and see but any manager will tell you, you are always going to look for players. I don’t think you ever stop looking for players. You have always got to try and improve.”