Paul Lambert has insisted that he has had no problem with the attitude or application of Aston Villa duo Charles N'Zogbia and Stephen Ireland.

The pair have been criticised in the past after form and fitness problems but Lambert, who arrived at Villa Park this summer, is determined to get the best out of them.

Ireland put his problems behind him to win Villa's Supporters' Player of the Year last season.

"[Ireland] is a real talent, there's not doubt about that," Lambert told the club's official website.

"It shows when he plays because there is a lot of creativity there, just like Charles. They are both really talented footballers.

"We will try to get the best out of them because they are clever, clever players."

The 42-year-old thinks that playing them in the right position may be the key to both finding form at the same time.

He continued: "We've got to get them in positions where they can hurt teams. I've got a fair idea of what I want to do with that.

"From the time that I have been with the club, I've not had any problem with Stephen or Charles whatsoever."

Villa play Nottingham Forest in a friendly at the weekend and they will visit West Ham on the opening day of the Premier League season.