Lambert focused on beating Norwich
Lambert will do battle with Norwich in today’s early kick-off for the first time at Villa Park since he quit at the end of last season to take charge of the midlands club.
The Scot and Norwich are both suing each other for breach of contract and the matter will ultimately be decided by a Premier League managers’ tribunal.
Lambert was upset when Norwich chairman Alan Bowkett made the matter public at a fans’ forum last month and also claimed he had left all his previous clubs in a similar manner.
But his main objective is to revive Villa’s season after one win in eight matches has left them occupying 17th position. Lambert, who claims he has not spoken to Bowkett for two years, said: “The Norwich game only has spice because I left. It’s not something that I’m really worried about or anything like that.”
Lambert insists his action is only a counter-claim to Norwich’s charge he breached his contract when resigning five months ago.
When asked about Bowkett’s claims, Lambert said: “I don’t know because I’ve not spoken to the chairman for about three years. Perhaps that is a bit of an exaggeration, maybe two. It’s a good chunk of time. Why? That’s football. Let him talk. We will see what happens. But I’ve got nothing to be ashamed of. I’ve got nothing to hide.”
Lambert concedes he is unsure what reaction he will receive from the travelling Norwich fans tomorrow.
He said: “I don’t know, I really I don’t know what reaction I’ll get. I don’t know. I’m not sure.’’
For his part, Norwich boss Chris Hughton feels s there won’t be any extra edge day.
“We’ll have a group of players who will be very grateful to Paul for the magnificent job he did here but once the whistle goes there is only one objective. That is how any of our players will see it.
“I can absolutely guarantee that once the game has kicked off it will be about 11 v 11 and not managers.”
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