Former Aston Villa defender Shaun Teale says manager Paul Lambert needs to strengthen his defensive options.

Richard Dunne has now been released and Teale reckons signing at least one new centre-back should be a priority during Lambert's latest round of squad strengthening.

"Villa need a new centre-half who can start, not just provide cover," Teale told the Birmingham Mail. "Premier League clubs nowadays need four centre-halves who can all challenge for the two places and keep the other two on their toes.

"Villa haven't had that because Richard Dunne has been injured and picked up his wages without kicking a ball all season and now he has gone.

"There's only been Ron Vlaar, Ciaran Clark and Nathan Baker and you can see by the amount of goals Villa have conceded that there has not been enough competition.

"Even when defenders have made mistakes they know they will still play in the next match. It was a bit different when Paul McGrath and I played because we set our own standards, but I think the lads today need more pressure on their places.''