Paul Lambert thinks new signing Grant Holt will be able to help Aston Villa steer clear of the Premier League’s relegation zone this season.
Although Villa are not among the favourites in the football betting to go down this term, their form, particularly at home, remains very poor and they recently lost the services of striker Libor Kozak for the rest of the season with a broken leg.
Lambert knows Holt from their time together at Norwich City, although the burly 32-year-old has been with last season’s FA Cup winners Wigan Athletic since the beginning of this term.
Villa have signed Holt on a short-term deal until the end of the season and Lambert has backed the forward to get back among the goals in the top-flight.
“When I knew Grant had become available it was something I wanted to pursue quickly because he’ll add strength and experience to what is still a young squad overall,” he said.
“Having worked with him for three years at Norwich, I know what he can do and that’s important.
“Coming back into the Premier League will rekindle that desire in him to succeed again at this level and, if he can replicate what he did in those three years at Norwich over these next few months here at Villa, then he’ll make an impact, that’s for sure.”
Holt scored 68 league goals in 154 appearances for Norwich before moving to the Latics in a £2million deal last summer. However, he has struggled to settle at the DW Stadium and has only found the net twice in 21 matches this term.
Villa, who can be followed in a live football commentary at Liverpool in their next match, have struggled for goals all season and have found the net just 20 times in 21 Premier League matches so far.
