Former Norwich coach Paul Lambert has been unveiled as new manager of Aston Villa.

A brief statement on Villa’s website on Saturday read: “The board of Aston Villa are delighted to confirm that Paul Lambert has been appointed Villa manager.”

Lambert joined Villa 48 hours after resigning from Norwich, amid reports the Birmingham club had paid their top flight rivals STG1 million ($A1.59 million) in compensation for the manager.

The Scot succeeded compatriot Alex McLeish, sacked at the end of last season, after Villa – champions of Europe in 1982 – finished just two points above the relegation zone.

By contrast, newly promoted Norwich finished in a respectable 12th place under Lambert’s guidance.

The 42-year-old, who won the Champions League as a player with German club Borussia Dortmund in 1997, is Villa’s fourth manager in less than two years.

Villa have struggled since Martin O’Neill, under whom they enjoyed three successive top six finishes, resigned seemingly in protest at US-based owner Randy Lerner’s reluctance to release more funds for new signings.

France’s Gerard Houllier, best known in England for his time in charge of Liverpool, replaced O’Neill but had to quit before the start of the season just gone on health grounds, while former Birmingham boss McLeish was never accepted by Villa’s fans, having previously been in charge of their cross-town rivals.