Express and Star: Jean Makoun's Villa career appears to be over today after boss Paul Lambert indicated the midfielder is not part of his plans. The Cameroon international has been unable to return to the UK because of complications over his work permit which is believed to be related to his inability to pass an English language test.

ESPN: Paul Lambert's overhaul of Aston Villa has continued with the appointment of former Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich assistant manager Michael Henke as head of European scouting. Henke, who was the long-time assistant to Ottmar Hitzfeld will take charge of a radical overhaul of the club's European network.

Sporting Life: Aston Villa have appointed former Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich assistant manager, Michael Henke, as their new head of European scouting. The experienced German will head up the club's European network in an overall structure that has been developed over the past two years.

Goal.com: Stephen Ireland is confident that the appointment of Paul Lambert as the new manager of Aston Villa will help the club move higher up the table this coming season and avoid another relegation battle. Ireland believes that Lambert, who finished the season four places and nine points above Aston Villa last season with Norwich, has already begun to reinvigorate the side and alter the overly cautious and defensive ethos installed under former manager Alex McLeish.

ESPN: Matthew Lowton should be fit to justify new Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert's decision to rule Alan Hutton out of his plans. A slight ankle injury sidelined Lowton from last weekend's final friendly - a 3-3 draw at Werder Bremen - but he is highly confident of being fit for Saturday's Premier League opener at West Ham United.

Sky Sports: Sky Sports: Aston Villa youngster Matthew Lowton has played down concerns he could miss the season's opener against West Ham with an ankle injury. The 23-year-old sat out their friendly game against Werder Bremen in Germany after picking up a knock in training.

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