Aston Villa hero Ian Taylor feels new manager Paul Lambert needs to buy a new midfielder.

Taylor admits Villa have been struggling in the centre of the park since Gareth Barry and James Milner left and are missing stricken captain Stiliyan Petrov's influence.

"It's definitely an area where we need to strengthen because we really could do with someone in there who can influence games," Taylor told the Sunday Mercury.

"I think we missed Petrov in there at the end of the season because he is an experienced guy who has the stature to play in there. We really haven't had anyone with the presence in there to make the team tick.

"It's been a difficult position for us in central midfield since Gareth Barry and James Milner left and it is a position where you do need somebody who can be the heartbeat of the team.

"With Gareth he was tried and trusted and you always knew you were going to get a high level of performance from him."