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Paul Lambert is enjoying managing Aston Villa more than ever before – but is in no rush to discuss a contract extension yet.

Lambert is nearly halfway through his three-year deal, which is due to expire at the end of next season.

The 43-year-old is happy at the club and admits his long-term vision to improve Villa’s fortunes has only just begun.

But Lambert is relaxed about the amount of time left on his contract and has not talked about a new deal with chairman Randy Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner.

He joked that he would not broach the subject of extending his stay with the board until a day before his current agreement is up.

“Talks to extend my stay?” asked Lambert. “No because I’ve got this year and one more. It’s a long time still to go.

“Randy and Paul have always been really honest with us. I get on really well with them. We’ll just see what happens later on. There’s never any great rush. I think there’s more important things than my own situation.

“I don’t really like to talk about myself or anything like that. The most important thing is this club and this team. My situation will take care of itself whenever that’s going to be.

“I’ve never thought about it. I’ve got three years here. I don’t think I’m that important to really worry about. What will happen, will happen.

“I’ll probably talk about it the last day before it finishes – then I’ll start to worry! I don’t get caught up in it. I never think about it like that. I’ve never been like that.

“I think people think we’ve been here for about four or five years. We haven’t. We’ve only been here just over a season. It’s not long.

“We’ll try and keep building it and it will take a right few years to get to where we want to get to. We’ve had to strip it right back.”

Lambert admits this season has so far been more enjoyable than last term’s tense survival battle, but the Villa boss insist he thrives on a certain amount of pressure.

“I think I’ve always been used to having pressure on my shoulders as a player,” said Lambert.

“In management you’ve got to try and get results - I think everybody knows that.

“But you’ve got to enjoy your work, if you don’t enjoy it then there’s a problem. I enjoy the job. I enjoy the pressure of it. I never get myself too high or too low, I always try to keep on a level.

“This season has been more enjoyable, that goes without saying. But for all last year was heard it wasn’t all downbeat. The last three or four months of the season was great.

“It’s a great job, a great club, great people to work beside. I don’t have any stress or any problem. I don’t feel that.”

Villa’s board are equally relaxed about Lambert’s contract and chief executive Faulkner insists the situation will be discussed when the time is right.

“We have a great relationship with Paul and I know that he loves being the Villa manager and having the opportunity to build something special here,” said Faulkner.

“That is the key, and everything else will follow in due course.”