Transfer news: Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert insists Manchester City's Scott Sinclair is still top quality

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert is confident Scott Sinclair can still make an impact at the top level, despite his Manchester City career stalling.

But the Villa manager refused to confirm speculation he was interested in signing the former Swansea star in the current transfer window.

Sinclair has been linked to Villa Park with his City stay seemingly over after only four appearances this season.

He has started just three times for the current English champions since a £6.2m transfer in 2012 and had an unsuccessful loan spell at West Brom last season.

Lambert believes the 25-year-old possesses the quality to revive his career in the Premier League.

It's been a hard move for him (Sinclair) going to Man City, but the year he had at Swansea in the Premier League he was outstanding. So he has got it in him, he can be a real good player.

"I know the lad from his Swansea days. I know exactly what he can do, he was top, top class in that side," Lambert said.

"It's been a hard move for him going to Man City, but the year he had at Swansea in the Premier League he was outstanding. So he has got it in him, he can be a real good player.

“The Man City move has probably been a bit different to what he imagined.

"He got his move to City and things have happened there but in his time at Swansea he was in excellent form."

But Lambert would not be drawn on whether Villa, who go to Leicester on Saturday, had made an offer Sinclair.

The Scotsman does not have a set transfer budget at Villa, instead working on a case-by-case basis with chairman Randy Lerner and chief executive Tom Fox.

"It is what it is at the minute. It is unfair of me to comment on someone that is not here," Lambert said.

"Everyone knows the situation and where the club is, it's not changed from last year."