Philippe Senderos a real find for Aston Villa

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert today backed summer signing Philippe Senderos to plug the gaping gaps in his defence.

The claret and blues shipped 66 goals last season and boss Lambert believes Senderos will be a key addition to his back-line.

The 29-year-old was part of the Switzerland squad which was knocked out of the World Cup by Argentina.

He joined on a free transfer after leaving Valencia and Lambert tipped him to make a big impact next season.

He said: "Philippe is a big-time player, he knows the game and exactly what it entails. He's played at three World Cups and there are not many players that can turn round and say that."

"I think he will be another brilliant acquisition for us, with the problems we did have at the back last year, then he's certainly going to add that experience in abundance.

"No two ways about it, he's another one who I think will do well for us."

Senderos has been joined at Villa by former Fulham team-mate Kieran Richardson, who insisted the defender's CV speaks for itself.

Richardson said: "Phil was at Fulham with me and he is a top professional. He's a good centre-half and I'm sure he'll give 100 per cent.

"He's played for Arsenal, AC Milan, Everton. His résumé is very good and a player like that doesn't play for those clubs for no reason.

"He's a top, top guy, he's very good in the dressing room. He's a leader and he does talk a lot, which is good."

Meanwhile, Yacouba Sylla has joined Turkish side Kayseri Erciyesspo on a season-long loan.

The midfielder, who is contracted until 2016, only made six starts last season and expressed a desire to move.