Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland has said that he is looking forward to playing a more creative midfield role under new manager Paul Lambert.

Ireland, who set up two goals in Villa's League Cup clash in midweek, is relishing the prospect of linking up with Darren Bent this season under Lambert.

"Last season I was in many different positions and I wasn't able to get into the final third as much as I would have liked," the Belfast Telegraph quotes Ireland as saying. "It was completely understandable with the way the squad was and injuries and Darren also got injured which didn't help.

"I feel my job in in the team now is to create as many chances as I can for him because nine out of 10 he is going to finish. He is a world-class striker and his finishing is unbelievable. If I can create chances for him, I know he is going to score.

"Every time I got the ball against Tranmere, I was looking for him because his movement is brilliant and it was the same with Andreas Weimann."

Ireland has made 26 league starts for Villa since signing in 2010.