Rickie Lambert SNUBS late move to Aston Villa as Liverpool eye Danny Ings summer deal

RICKIE LAMBERT has vowed to fight for his place at Liverpool after rejecting a £5million move to Aston Villa.

Rickie Lambert (left) has decided to stay at Liverpool

The England striker spent last night mulling over a move to the Midlands after being targeted by Villa manager Paul Lambert, but has chosen to remain at Anfield.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers informed Lambert, who turns 33 this month, of Villa’s interest in him, but insisted he was happy for the forward to remain on Merseyside.

Lambert fulfilled his dreams by joining Liverpool, who released him as a 15-year-old schoolboy, from Southampton for £4m last summer.

He has made just 10 starts and scored three goals, the last of which ironically came against Villa last month, and his opportunities are set to become even more restricted by the return to fitness of Daniel Sturridge.

Yet Lambert has decided to stay and challenge the likes of Sturridge, Fabio Borini and Mario Balotelli for a role in Rodgers’ plans.

Crystal Palace and Leicester City had also targeted Lambert, but Villa wanted him to bolster their fight against relegation.

Villa were beaten 5-0 by Arsenal on Sunday and have not scored a Premier League goal since the 1-1 draw with Manchester United on December 20.

They are currently in the midst of a 612 minute goal drought and are languishing in 16th place in the table, just three points above the relegation zone.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have closed in on a deal for Danny Ings following more talks with Burnley yesterday and look set to sign him in the summer.

An agreement with a view to a move at the end of the season can be completed outside the transfer window.