Norwich City defender Russell Martin has suggested that Paul Lambert's departure to Aston Villa could be a blessing in disguise for the Canaries.

The Scot has now been confirmed as Alex McLeish's successor at Villa Park, signing a three-year deal with the Midlands club.

Lambert guided the Norfolk outfit to the Premier League with successive promotions, having taken over the club when they were in League Two in 2009.

Martin, who was signed by Lambert on loan from Peterborough United before making his move to Carrow Road permanent in 2010, said that his former manager's departure could be of benefit to Norwich.

The 26-year-old said that many teams suffer from the dreaded 'second season syndrome' and revealed that a change in management could freshen things up ahead of the next Premier League season.

"[Paul Lambert leaving] might work in our favour," Martin told talkSPORT. "A lot of teams struggle in their second season but with a new manager coming in everyone has to prove themselves again and everyone is on a clean slate so it might give us a bit of fresh impetus going into the new season.

"I'm sure the club will be trying to get [the managerial situation] resolved quickly and I think, whatever manager comes in, they're inheriting a squad where the strength lies in our team spirit. The togetherness and the closeness of the lads has played a major part in getting us through the last two or three years.

"Whoever comes in will have their own ideas and make a few changes and hopefully he thinks he's inheriting a good squad because we've got a really strong squad there at the minute."

Norwich finished 12th in the Premier League last season.