Paul Lambert: 'Ron Vlaar is staying at Aston Villa'

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has admitted that the club are keen for defender Ron Vlaar to sign a new contract at Villa Park.

Vlaar has been linked with a move away from the West Midlands outfit after he impressed for the Netherlands during their run to the World Cup semi-finals in Brazil.

Southampton and Queens Park Rangers are reported to be interested in Vlaar, but despite the 29-year-old having just 12 months remaining on his existing deal, Lambert has insisted that he won't cash in on the club captain.

The 44-year-old is quoted by the Birmingham Mail as saying: "Ron is not only an Aston Villa player, he is our captain. He has one year remaining on his contract and he is staying here.

"We will be talking with him in due course about extending his deal and we are confident that those talks will be positive. Ron has always said that he is really happy here, and he has done nothing to suggest anything has changed.

"None of this speculation is coming from him, or anyone connected with him. We aren't selling. It is as simple as that."

Vlaar has made 59 Premier League appearances for Villa since arriving in England in 2012.