Paul Lambert: 'There is no rift with Matthew Lowton'

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has insisted that he has not fallen out with defender Matthew Lowton.

The former Sheffield United player was dropped from Villa's squad for the 0-0 draw against Cardiff City, and was punished by the club for turning up late for training last month, which resulted in him missing the 2-2 draw with Liverpool.

However, Lambert has spoken out and claims that rumours of an argument between the two are false.

"I just left him out. I had to pick a team that I thought was right," Lambert is quoted as saying by The Mirror.

"He's been fine. I don't want people writing I've fallen out with him, because that's nonsense. There's no such thing."

Lowton joined Villa in 2012.