Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has praised young defender Nathan Baker's recent performances for the club.

The 21-year-old, who has appeared in Villa's last five matches, was part of the side that earned a 3-1 win at Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday.

"Nathan is a really unassuming lad, very quiet," Lambert told the club's official website. "He doesn't say two words to you, but let's be fair to him, he's performing fantastically well.

"The back three lads are just getting better and better in my opinion. I have no praise high enough for them. They have been brilliant."

Baker signed his first professional contract with the Villans in 2009.