Villa injuries a setback says Lambert

Paul Lambert today admitted the loss of Gabby Agbonlahor and Richard Dunne through injury is a major setback for Villa’s preparations for the new season.

Agbonlahor will be sidelined for up to five weeks after a scan revealed the extent of medial ligament damage the forward picked up against Chicago Fire on Villa’s US tour.

Defender Dunne is out for up to two months after an operation on a groin injury he sustained on Ireland duty at Euro 2012.

“It’s a big blow to lose them both and Gabby especially was playing well,” said the Villa boss. “The only good thing about it is that it’s happened at this time.

“If it happened during the season it might be a bit different. That’s football and that’s what we will have to deal with.

“Of course their absence does give a few other players a chance to stake a claim for a place. That’s the nature of the beast not just here but in football everywhere – one player’s loss can be someone else’s gain. I need all of my players. ”

New-boy Ron Vlaar insists his injury problems are in the past after a £3.2m move from Feyenoord. The Dutch centre-back, who has a three-year contract at Villa, spent periods injured earlier in his career but is fine now. I am 27 and I know my best years are ahead of me. I feel fit and strong and I am looking forward very much to playing my first game,” said Vlaar.

“I think there is a lot of quality here and, if we play like we can as a team, we will make it difficult for other teams to beat us. I am looking forward to starting training with the squad and then playing, of course.

“For me, I want to play a lot and improve my play and do well with the team. That’s most important. I have had good conversations with the club and with the manager.

“I am looking forward to training under him and seeing what we can do together.”