Aston Villa chief Paul Faulkner says the early appointment of manager Paul Lambert gives them plenty of time in the summer market.

Lambert has already given chairman Randy Lerner a list of potential transfer targets to add to Australian international midfielder Brett Holman, who had already agreed a deal to join the club.

"We're looking forward to the start of the season," explained Faulkner to the Birmingham Mail.

"We wanted to act decisively at the end of last season to give ourselves a little bit of time.

"It is still early June. We have just under a month before the players come back for pre-season and just under ten weeks until the Premier League season kicks off so in football that's quite a long period of time.

"You want to get at that sooner rather than later - the earlier we can get things moving the better - but, equally, the transfer window doesn't shut until the end of August so we will use all the time we need.

"It's about being smart in your moves, being able to scout well, having freedom and taking some chances."