Former Norwich City manager Lambert made new Aston Villa boss

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Former Norwich City manager Paul Lambert was confirmed as new Aston Villa manager on Saturday, and his shift from Carrow Road to Villa Park didn't cost Villa owner Randy Lerner a single penny.

Villa officially named Lambert as their new manager on a three-year contract, and in the process avoided the one million pound compensation demanded by David McNally, the Norwich chief executive.

Lambert was effectively a free agent after resigning from Norwich on Wednesday night.

Norwich's refusal to let Lambert talk with Villa officials contradicted a clause in his contract that he could hold talks with any interested Premier League club, The Telegraph reports.

Lambert is expected to return to Norwich to recruit Ian Culverhouse, the assistant manager , and head of football operations Gary Karsa to join his back-room staff at Villa Park.