1 Ron Vlaar in action for Aston Villa

Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar insists he is not thinking about a proposed move to Manchester United and says he has already held talks with manager Paul Lambert over signing a new deal.

Vlaar has been one of the stand out players for the Midlands club during a difficult spell under Lambert and has been strongly linked with a switch to Old Trafford.

With former Holland coach Louis van Gaal taking over United during the summer, the Dutch connection has only intensified talk of a big-money transfer when the window re-opens in January.

But Vlaar says there have been no discussions over a move away from Villa Park and he has already started preliminary talks over a new contract, with his current one set to run out at the end of the season.

Vlaar said: “I have nothing to say because there is nothing going on.

“I have spoken to the gaffer a few times [about a new deal] but that is it so far.”

Vlaar is convinced Aston Villa can now turn their season around following a miserable run which featured a run of six consecutive defeats.

The Midlands club came away with a well-earned point against high flying West Ham last Saturday at Upton Park.

And Vlaar feels the spirit they showed will stand them in good stead as they look to move away from the foot of the table.

“We know we needed to change something and it started with the determination we showed against West Ham,” said the 29-year-old. “It was a positive result for us. We can’t think that we are not good enough to do that and that is a good start.”