Aston Villa eye up West Brom flop Rickie Lambert

Aston Villa are reportedly considering a bid for West Brom flop Rickie Lambert.

The 34-year-old striker scored just one goal for the Baggies last season after his £3m transfer from Liverpool in the summer.

Villa's new owner Tony Xia has outlined buying a 'strong striker' as the club's main priority this summer and it's believed new boss Robert Di Matteo is interested in Lambert.

Albion are yet to receive an enquiry over the forward, and even though Lambert has misfired since he joined The Hawthorns, it's unlikely the club will agree to sell him before bringing in another striker.

The Baggies have already let Victor Anichebe go and are fielding interest from several clubs over Saido Berahino.

Selling Berahino would leave Lambert, who has one year left on his contract, as the only cover for record signing Salomon Rondon.

The former Liverpool and Southampton striker, who looked off the pace when he joined Albion, would like to feature for the Baggies next season but he's also open to a move in order to find first team football.

"I would love to be able to help West Brom and contribute, but if I'm not then obviously I have to make a decision and maybe go somewhere else," he said earlier this month.

"My objective is to help West Brom, that's what I want to do. Obviously it didn't happen last year.

"I'll have to see what happens in the summer and when I get back.

"The main thought I've got in my head right now is to come back in the best shape possible. That's all I'm thinking right now."

Lambert is due to return to the Albion training ground with the rest of the senior players on Monday, July 4.