Sunday 28 September 2014 21:28, UK
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert is preparing to make moves in the January transfer window after talks with the club's owners.
Lambert, who takes Villa to Chelsea on Saturday, will be backed in the transfer market by chairman Randy Lerner and has been encouraged after discussions with new chief executive Tom Fox .
Lerner watched Villa lose 3-0 to Arsenal last week, his first home game for almost two years, and will continue to support the manager with funds.
"I've spoken to Tom Fox about January and whether we need to do something. It depends on personnel and injuries and ultimately the decision will come from the chairman," Lambert said.
"He's never once said: 'you can't do x, y and z'. You put it to him and if he thinks it's too dear he says no. If he thinks it's fine then fine. If the chairman thinks it's right he tells me I can, if not he tells me no. That's how it should be.
"Randy's been great, really supportive. He came last week and I'm pretty sure he will get over to more games. I don't get any indication he will take the club off the market. I still think if someone comes in and makes an offer to make Aston Villa stronger and it is right for the chairman it will happen."
Villa head to Stamford Bridge on Saturday after suffering their first Premier League defeat of the season to the Gunners.
Jack Grealish played 45 minutes of the game and the club are in contract talks with their midfield star.
Villa have high hopes for the 19-year-old academy graduate and are speaking to Grealish, along with Fabian Delph and Ron Vlaar, about a new deal.
Lambert added: "Jack is developing. He's nowhere near the finished article. He's at the best place because he can get near the first team.
"He's playing little bits here and there but he's still far from being an established player. Hopefully something will be done. You have to put your best foot forward but we're talking. Delph and Vlaar are different to Jack as they are seasoned professionals and we will see what happens."
Vlaar is likely to miss the trip to London with a calf injury but Delph has recovered from the illness which affected the Villa squad last week. Nathan Baker, Darren Bent, Ashley Westwood and Andi Weimann are all available after sickness.
