New Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert said he had his own reasons for leaving Norwich City – but was not about to divulge them as he was introduced to the media at Villa Park.

Lambert, who resigned from Carrow Road last week after three years in charge, told reporters: 'I had my reasons, which will probably remain private. I'm delighted to be here and it's an honour to be at this football club.

'That chapter in my time has finished and will never be forgotten in my own mind. I have to look to the future, as Norwich do, and I wish them the best of luck because it's a fabulous club but I've got a duty to drive this fantastic club on.'

Lambert said he would always remember his time with City, which involved back-to-back promotions and finishing 12th in the Premier League.

'I had three unbelievable years and I absolutely loved my time there – really, really loved it,' he said.

'I had a great rapport with people and great times and a special rapport with the football club, the fans and the players.

'I'll always be proud of what we did as a group in the three years I'd been there. It's a part of my life that will stay with me, I'll never forget it because it was a terrific time.

'I've got nothing but praise for Norwich. It's a fantastic club, a lot of good people there and the fans base is pivotal to what has happened. I'm absolutely proud of what's been achieved at Norwich.'

Lambert would not be drawn on whether assistant Ian Culverhouse or want-away striker Grant Holt would be following him to Villa.

On Culverhouse, he said: 'I've not even spoken about it. Everybody is surmising what's happening. There are a lot of things I have to value, what's here, and I think that's for another day,' he said.

Questions on Holt, who has asked for a transfer, were given the same dead bat treatment.

'He always goes on that tweeting thing. I'm just glad he can spell a bit better than normal,' said Lambert. 'I haven't given it one thought. I've had a good chat with Paul (Faulkner) and the chairman and there are lads I'd like to bring to the football club and we'll see if we can get them in.'

Lambert said he had consulted his former boss at Celtic, Martin O'Neill, the ex-Villa and Norwich manager, before making his move.

'I spoke to him and he was brilliant about it. He was really, really complimentary. I know what he did here, took the club into the top six and it's something I have to live with,' he said.

Lambert said he was hoping to put smiles on Villa supporters' faces as soon as possible.

'There is a lot of expectancy at the club and it is not something I'm going to shy away from,' he said. 'It something I will thrive on, hopefully.

'We will try to get results as quickly and as best as we can. We have to play football the right way.

'We have to give them something. We will need them - I think they will come in their thousands to watch us and it is up to us to give them something back.'

Lambert expressed his pride at being handed the Villa reins and cannot wait to get started in the role.

He said: 'I have to get into it and see what is going to happen. I'm honoured to be manager of the football club. I will give it everything I've got to be successful.

'I can't wait to get going, truth be told, so I'm excited by it. It is a huge, huge club and it is something I will need to embrace more than anybody.'