Lambert: Steps into Villa hot-seat
Lambert will be charged by club owner Randy Lerner with the task of revitalising Villa after two seasons in the doldrums.
After three successive top-six finishes under Martin O'Neill, Villa have dropped too close to the Premier League bottom three for comfort.
It is believed Lambert will be given money to spend after McLeish spent last season reducing what he described as an "astronomical" wage bill.
Lambert will also be able to use the money from any players he generates from current Villa players he offloads to bolster the squad.
Experienced duo Emile Heskey and Carlos Cuellar have already left Villa at the end of their contracts.
