Aston Villa boss questions loyalty on Ron Vlaar

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert today questioned whether loyalty exists in football when questioned over captain Ron Vlaar's future.

The Holland centre-back, who impressed at this summer's World Cup, has been linked with various clubs including Villa's Premier League rivals Southampton.

Saints boss Ronald Koeman, his compatriot, has been quoted by Dutch media as saying of the 29-year-old that he would "really like to have him at Southampton".

Vlaar has a year left on his Villa deal. Asked about the player signing a new contract, Lambert said: "To be fair to Ron, he has not come to us or anything."

Asked whether he thought Vlaar would remain loyal to Villa, Lambert replied: "I don't know.

"I'm not sure there is loyalty in football any more. So we'll have to wait and see. It will be entirely up to him.

"I think his main concern was getting back after the World Cup, getting fit and hopefully being ready for tomorrow (Villa's Premier League opener at Stoke).

"I have a good rapport with Ron, so I don't have any problem with that whatsoever."