Aston Villa striker Nicklas Helenius backed to make impact

The £2m striker is yet to start a game since his summer switch from Aalborg and is now behind Grant Holt in the pecking order.

Wigan loanee Holt has joined until the end of the season after Libor Kozak's broken leg three weeks ago.

But Lambert insisted Denmark international Helenius will stay at Villa Park and can learn from veteran Holt.

"Not at the minute, no," said Lambert when asked about the possibility of loaning Helenius.

"He's not frustrated, that's one thing Nicklas is not. If you watch Helenius finish in training he very rarely misses the target. He's a young guy and he's learning.

"Holty will bring experience. He's streetwise. He'll get you free-kicks where maybe a younger player might not be able to do that for you at the minute.

"When Nicklas starts to get the physical side of it then he'll handle it, I've got no worries about that. Holty's got the experience of it and he knows how to use his body."

Helenius has scored once in six substitute outings but has only made three appearances in the Premier League – totalling just 49 minutes.

His last top flight game was the 2-0 defeat to Everton in October although he scored his first Villa goal in the 2-1 FA Cup exit to Sheffield United at the start of the month.

And skipper Ron Vlaar believes the 22-year-old will gain confidence from the strike.

"When he scored his first competitive goal of the club everyone was really happy for him," he said.

"Although he hasn't had much match action, Nicklas has worked really hard to become a stronger, better footballer and that excellent strike will give him enormous confidence.

"He might also find himself involved more because of Libor Kozak's misfortune."