New Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has said that new arrival Brett Holman will have a "fair chance" of proving himself.

Holman's switch to Villa Park from AZ Alkmaar was agreed in March, far before Lambert made the move to the Midlands.

Despite not signing the player, Lambert says that the Australian will get minutes under him.

The former Norwich boss said: "If there is one lad who has probably got a bit of trepidation, then it would be Brett because it wasn't me who brought him to the club.

"But I have spoken to him to reassure him and he will get a right fair chance.

"I don't know much about him but I have watched some of his games. He did well at Alkmaar so I don't have any worries about him on that score."

Villa travel to newly-promoted West Ham United on the opening day of the Premier League season on August 18.