Birmingham Mail: Paul Lambert has delivered an impassioned rallying cry to the Villa Park faithful to banish memories of last season and play their part in delivering a brighter future. Lambert has told supporters his new-look Villa team will "be ready for it" by the time the Premier League season kicks off against West Ham at Upton Park on August 18. Villa fans have already started to turn their attentions to the 2012-13 campaign under the popular new manager following yesterday's publication of the top-flight fixtures. And Lambert, who made his first public appearance as boss at Villa Park on Saturday, insists it is important to look forward rather than back.

Sun: Mark Hughes is thinking of replacing controversial midfielder Joey Barton with ... er, controversial midfielder Stephen Ireland. The QPR boss completed deals for defender Ryan Nelsen and Fulham striker Andrew Johnson yesterday — and Ireland could be his third old-boy signing. Hughes is looking to strengthen his midfield as bad-boy skipper Barton is banned for the first 12 games of the season.

Goal.com: Republic of Ireland keeper Shay Given has admitted that it is difficult to take any positives from his side's Euro 2012 campaign after they lost all three group games, including a 2-0 defeat to Italy in Poznan in their final match.

Sky Sports: Republic of Ireland veterans Shay Given, Damien Duff and Richard Dunne will not rush into a decision about whether to retire from international football. Giovanni Trapattoni's side bowed out of Euro 2012 with a 2-0 defeat by Italy, following on from previous losses to Croatia and Spain. The manner of Ireland's exit from the tournament has prompted suggestions that it is time for Trapattoni to bring through a new generation of players.

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BBC Sport: Roy Hodgson wants Wayne Rooney to be England's inspiration as they attempt to seal a place in the last eight. England only require a draw against Ukraine in Donetsk's Donbass Arena on Tuesday to qualify from Group D. But Hodgson refuses to play for a point and believes Rooney's return can lift England to new heights.

Sun: Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin lost his cool after being constantly asked about Andriy Shevchenko. And the underfire boss of the joint hosts ended up in a shouting match with local journos. Blokhin — whose team must beat England to stand a chance of qualifying — even claimed he was not worried about the threat posed by Wayne Rooney.

BBC Sport: Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni says he wants to make up for his side's poor Euro 2012 showing in the World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign. Trapattoni's side lost 2-0 to Italy to end the tournament with three defeats. "The willingness is there to come back with fresh energy and a new squad to do better, and I can't wait for the new season to start," he said.

*The extracts on this page are taken from various newspapers and media outlets. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Aston Villa.