Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov says Paul Lambert is the manager to revive the club.

Lambert helped Petrov overcome a tough start to become a fans' favourite when they were at Celtic together and the captain reckons the new boss is the ideal man to lift Villa.

"I played with him for seven years at Celtic and I am really happy that he got the job," Petrov told the Birmingham Mail. "I am really confident he is going to do very well for this club because I know him very well.

"He knows that it is a pre-season and it is hard work and some people come fitter, some not as fit. It is really good. He is really looking forward to working at this club."