19.08.2014 13:46 h

Lambert rebukes Koeman over Vlaar pursuit

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert spoke out to criticise Ronald Koeman on Tuesday after the Southampton head coach expressed an interest in signing Villa captain Ron Vlaar.

Koeman, who managed Vlaar at Feyenoord, has revealed that he would "really like" to bring the Netherlands centre-back to St Mary's, and Lambert believes he was wrong to go public with his admiration of the player.

"I think he is disrespecting when talking about other team's players when they are still their players. I think that's wrong," the Villa manager told Sky Sports.

"I wouldn't mind if he picked up the phone, but you don't go public on it. That's the thing that annoyed me the most and the stance is still exactly the same with Ron."

Vlaar, who shone for Holland at the World Cup in Brazil, has one year let to run on his current contract, but Villa are reportedly planning to offer him a new deal.