Aston Villa's Paul Lambert looking forward to tough start

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has insisted that he is relishing the club's difficult start to the new Premier League season.

The Villans begin their campaign at Arsenal next month with games against Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle United to follow.

"It doesn't come much harder does it? You've got to play them, so playing them straight off you just get on with it," Lambert told the Express & Star.

"We'll certainly give it a real good go, you won't get two tougher away games than that but we are looking forward to it."

Villa return to pre-season action on Wednesday when they make the short trip to Walsall.