Paul Lambert Confirms Left Back Search Is Ongoing, Rubbishes Dunne Exit Rumours

Mat Kendrick has some real, honest-to-god transfer news over at the Birmigham Mail this morning; Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has confirmed that he is monitoring "several" left backs, including previously linked Ipswich Town player Aaron Cresswell. Lambert also puts to rest any talk of an impending move to Stoke City for centerback Richard Dunne, as well as assuring Stephen Warnock and Alan Hutton that they will be given a chance to make their way back into the team should they not find new employment by the close of the transfer window on August 31st.

While Lambert's statements regarding the wheeling-and-dealing of various outside backs were predictably noncommittal, his choice of words when addressing Richard Dunne seem crystal clear. His reluctance to sell Dunne is understandable given Villa's lack of depth at centerback, and with the big fella out until September due to injury the chances of his moving along always seemed slim. Lambert also talked about the transfer situation in more general terms, and I'd suspect that his comments will garner a great deal of attention from those that have decided to be miserable and assume that Aston Villa will never bring them joy so long as Randy Lerner owns the club. When asked whether any signings were dependent upon players exiting, Lambert stated that "If someone becomes available and I think it’s worthwhile then we’ll have that conversation. "I’m pretty sure the chairman would listen to any ideas I have. I’ve had good conversations with him and there’s not a problem."

Based on my reading, it's pretty much exactly the kind of stuff you'd expect any manager to say when posed a similar question. You may read into it however you would like. But were I a betting man, I'd expect Aaron Cresswell to be wearing claret and blue come September 1st, and I'd be surprised if he were the only new face.