Lambert eyeing permanent Bertrand deal

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert is keen on securing the services of Ryan Bertrand on a permanent basis, according to the Mirror.

The full-back moved to Villa Park for the rest of the season on loan from Chelsea during the January transfer window, and he has notched up seven Premier League appearances for the Midlands club so far.

His chances of gaining a regular first team spot at Stamford Bridge seem increasingly low, with Jose Mourinho installing Cesar Azpilicueta as his first choice left-back, and Southampton’s Luke Shaw strongly linked with a move to the club as a long term replacement for fellow England international Ashley Cole.

Villa are out of action this weekend, though they moved up to eleventh place with their superb come-from-behind victory over Norwich City last weekend, and will look further distance themselves from any fears of relegation when they take host Bertrand’s parent club next weekend.