Aston Villa's Paul Lambert "excited" for new season

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has said that he is eager to get the Premier League season underway against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

The Scot said that he is sick of friendlies and is desperate to feel the pressure of competitive football after a three-month break.

"I'm excited for the players and the fans," he told the club's official website. "I can't wait for the team to get going. I'm fed up with friendlies now.

"I'm looking forward to it when there's something riding on it all. I'm looking forward to the games and the pressure of it again. I think everybody loves the pressure of it.

"You feel the nervous excitement in this past week too. You have that opening day tingle too. Before you know it, the summer is over and it's on you and you have to go again. On Saturday, we will be in it."

Although Lambert believes that the Gunners are one of the best sides in England, he said that his team are approaching the fixture with no fear.

He added: "Arsene Wenger is a great football manager and they are still a top-class side - it wasn't long ago they went to Bayern Munich and turned them over.

"They have fabulous players. It's a great place to play - brilliant football pitch and a brilliant atmosphere, but we will go there and give it everything. We will go there with no fear. We certainly have a threat."

Villa finished 15th last season.