Paul Lambert ready for contract talks with Aston Villa winger Marc Albrighton

The winger's deal expires at the end of the season and Lambert is looking to secure his future.

Albrighton was man of the match despite only coming on as a second-half substitute in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at West Ham.

And Lambert, who is in negotiations with Villa about extending his own contract, admitted he wants to talk terms with Albrighton.

"I will do," he said. "I think that's normal. Every time Marc's come on for me he's done well. He's been really unlucky with the injuries he's had here, they've kept him out for a long spell. But I thought he was excellent.

"I'll definitely sit and talk to him. It's just the way things have worked out with the games and his injuries have been one after the other. I know he's out of contract so I'll sit with him."

Albrighton spent a month on loan at Wigan earlier in the season after battling foot, hamstring and throat problems in 2013 and Lambert hailed his professionalism.

"He's just a quiet lad," he said. "All the time I've been here I've just known him as a nice lad and not a problem at all.

"I think he's been here all his days and I think he's only known this, other than the loan spell so we'll see.

"His attitude has always been good, he's really low maintenance. What you see is what you get with him.

"When he's like that on that type of form he's certainly a good player."

Albrighton was the only bright spot as Villa slipped to their eighth home Premier League defeat of the season against the Hammers.

The 24-year-old hit the post and created a chance for Christian Benteke to hit the bar to earn praise from Lambert.

"I thought he put some terrific balls into the box, he was unlucky not to score. If that goes in it gives everybody a wee bit of a lift, but it wasn't going to be our day," he said.

"He had a problem with his throat and a metatarsal, not once, but twice. When it's all against you all the time, you think 'when's it going to clear up?'

"Hopefully he has a run now where he can go on."