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Paul Lambert is increasingly confident Aston Villa can keep Ron Vlaar and hopes to tempt him to stay on a new deal.

Dutch centre-back Vlaar remains a wanted man after his outstanding World Cup.

The stopper has just 12 months left on his contract at Villa Park and Southampton are after him, but Vlaar held “positive” talks with Villa boss Lambert at the team’s hotel in his native Holland on Saturday.

The Villa club captain watched their 4–1 loss to Groningen and is now due back at training on Monday to prepare for the new campaign which opens at Stoke on August 16.

And despite Villa originally scrapping major new contract talks when owner Randy Lerner put the club up for sale in May, officials are now prepared to hold them with Vlaar as the American is not close to selling up.

Lambert said: “I had a really brief conversation with Ron. No doubt I will sit with him when we have a bit more time when we’re back.

(Image: Getty)

“He’s positive and raring to go. He’s looking forward to getting going. That, in itself, is a plus.

“He loves it here. That’s him back now - he’s looking forward to the Stoke game.”

Vlaar is unlikely to be involved in Villa’s friendly on Tuesday at League One Walsall.

Lambert added long-term absentees Christian Benteke and Libor Kozak won’t be fit for the start of the season at the Potters.

But the Scot has not ruled out Joe Cole playing despite injuring his thigh in pre-season.

Lambert added: “In terms of injuries, Libor is doing great. He won’t be fit for the start of the season. Christian won’t be fit either. But they are both ahead of their scheduled time.

“Joe is doing great. He started running again. We will see how he is this time next week.”