Villa have Cleverley option – Lambert

Paul Lambert has revealed Aston Villa have the option to sign on-loan Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley in January.

Cleverley has started Villa’s last five Premier League games after sealing a temporary switch to Villa Park in the most recent transfer window.

Lambert has confirmed that the 25-year-old, who is out of contract at United at the end of the season and also attracted interest from Everton, could well secure a permanent transfer to Villa in January.

“We have an option on Tom. We have not gone into great detail but he has played well,” Lambert said on Friday.

“He was the one lad who was busy on Saturday [in Villa’s 3-0 loss at Everton]. He has so much to offer. He’s a good guy, a good pro and does everything [at a] high tempo, even when he trains.

“Whatever happens in January will happen, the option is there but we still have a couple of months to go.

“I just want him to play well here and enjoy it and that’s what he is doing, which is half the battle. It’s not been an easy start playing at a new club but come January we will see.”

Villa have now suffered a four-game losing streak after an impressive start to the campaign.

However, Lambert, who will check on the fitness of defenders Philippe Senderos and Nathan Baker in the coming days, is optimistic that the run will not continue against QPR on Monday.

“The squad have had a good week. They deserved it [the loss] on Saturday and we need to make sure it does not happen again,” the Scot added.