Phil Neville has said that Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert would be a "perfect" signing for Aston Villa, but admitted that it would be tough for the Liverpudlian to leave his boyhood club.

Lambert is a lifelong Liverpool fan and joined the Reds in the summer, but has struggled to make an impact since his £4m move from Southampton.

Neville told BBC Sport that although he feels that Lambert would score goals for Villa, the thought of leaving Liverpool may prove too much.

He said: "Rickie Lambert is perfect for Aston Villa. He is someone who can score goals at this level, as proven by him at Southampton.

"But it is a massive emotional decision for him. He is finally at the club which he supported as a kid.

"It is not a decision he can make quickly. It took me two or three weeks to decide to leave Manchester United."

Lambert has scored just three goals since his summer switch to Anfield, the last of which came in a 2-0 victory at Aston Villa in January.