Norwich boss Paul Lambert holding talks with Aston Villa

Norwich boss Paul Lambert’s agents are in talks with Premier League rivals Aston Villa about the Scot becoming the next Villa boss.

Villa have been linked with numerous candidates since Alex McLeish’s departure from Villa Park earlier this month.

Candidates

Villa offered Wigan boss Roberto Martinez the position last summer, only for the Spaniard to turn them down in favour of staying at Wigan.

The 38 year-old has also turned down the chance to move to Liverpool this summer. Wigan owner Dave Whelan has stated that he is staying with the Latic’s.

Molde boss and former-Manchester striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also held talks with the Midlands club but decided to stay in Norway. The Norwegian made an impressive start to his managerial career guiding Molde to their first ever league championship in his first season as a boss.

Disagreement

Its been reported that Norwich boss Paul Lambert had some sort of disagreement with the Norwich board on Wednesday night, which could speed up his departure from Carrow Road. Lambert has previously stated that he is happy at Norwich but it now seems that he could be on the move.

Rise

Paul Lamberts reputation as a manager has been increased by his club achieving consecutive promotions and holding their own in the Premier League. Lambert is a highly-rated boss and is also highly-respected in coaching circles within the game.

Lambert has been compared to former-Villa boss Martin O’Neill in the past, because of his image and his passion on the touchline. Also because he has had a similar managerial career path to the Ulsterman.

Needed

Paul Lambert is the sort of bright young boss that is desperately needed at Villa Park. The club has been in a slump in recent seasons, mostly due to selling their best players. Villa are in need of some fresh impetus and ideas.

Lambert is just the sort of young manager who can provide them with it. He will bring the sort of fresh approach needed at the club.

Hard

The Villa hotseat is a really difficult one to be in at the moment. Villa owner Randy Lerner doesn’t seem to want to spend anymore money on the club. Although his approach could change with the appointment of a new manager.

If it doesn’t then the new manager, whether it is Lambert or somebody else will be doing their job with one hand tied behind his back. The Villa squad is in desperate need of strengthening with the club having to rely on youngster for a lot of last season.

Villa finished the season just three points above the relegation zone and Alex McLeish paid the price for that disappointment. The truth is though the players at the club are no longer good enough.

Big

Although Norwich finished higher in the Premier League than Aston Villa last season the Villans are still a far bigger club.

Their history, tradition and trophies outweigh that of the Canaries. Usually a move from Norwich to Villa would be seen as a step up for a manager but at the moment I’m not so sure it is. Lambert has build a good team in East Anglia and the morale seems far higher at Norwich than Villa right now.

Potential

Maybe Paul Lambert sees the potential that Villa hold and believes he can resurrect the clubs flagging fortunes. The Scot could see it as a challenge to get Villa back towards the top of the Premier League table.

Lambert strikes me as the kind of boss who would enjoy such a challenge. I just hope he is prepared for the mammoth size of his task.

Gamble

Appointing Paul Lambert as their new manager would be a great move for Aston Villa. However with his stock currently so high in the game at the moment I’m not so sure it would be a great move for Lambert.

The Scot is a good manager but if it doesn’t work out for him at Villa his reputation could take a terrible blow. I just hope for his sake and Villa’s sake that if he does take the job he is a resounding success.

Should Paul Lambert move to Aston Villa?