Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has dampened speculation over a swoop for Wes Hoolahan.

The Norwich midfielder has been linked with a move to reunite with his former manager at Villa Park.

"When I was the manager of Norwich, he was fantastic. He was excellent but he's Norwich's player, so there's no point in talking," said Lambert. 

But he dismissed suggestions that his acrimonious departure from Norwich could be the reason why his attempts to sign Hoolahan have been frustrated.

Norwich have repeatedly said that the Irish international is not for sale, despite reported interest from Villa, who hired Lambert as their manager just days after he resigned from his job at Carrow Road.