Aston Villa midfielder Barry Bannan admits he's pumped his mates at Norwich City for inside info on new gaffer Paul Lambert.

And Bannan says Norwich players have only good things to say about his fellow Scot.

He told Villa's website: "I know a few of the lads at Norwich. There's a boy, Russell Martin, who I know from the Scotland squad, and there were two boys he signed from Leeds, Bradley Johnson and Jonny Howsen that played for him as well.

"So I know a couple of boys that have worked under him and they've got nothing but good things to say about him.

"I think if you ask anyone that's worked under him, they'll say the same thing, just that he's been brilliant and he plays the game the way it should be played."