Out-of-favour goalkeeper Shay Given will remain at Villa after manager Paul Lambert rejected a loan bid from Championship club Hull.

Tigers manager Steve Bruce had enquired about taking the 36-year-old stopper to the KC Stadium on a short-term deal.

Given has been forced to settle for a place on the bench for the past two-and-a-half months after losing his Premier League spot to Brad Guzan.

But Lambert is unwilling to let the Irish veteran leave on a temporary basis because he believes the claret and blues need him to provide cover.

Given, who has three-and-a-half years remaining on his contract, retired from international duty in the summer to concentrate on club football and wants first-team action at this stage of his career.

Since Guzan took his place in the draw at Newcastle at the start of September, Given has not played a top-flight game and has been restricted to Capital One Cup appearances against Manchester City and Swindon.

Hull, who have previously loaned Guzan from Villa, wanted to do a short-term deal for Given to boost a goalkeeping department including Ben Amos and Eldin Jakupovic.

But with a busy festive schedule coming up, Lambert, who also has veteran Andy Marshall and rookie Benji Siegrist at his disposal, was unwilling to agree to the move.

"That's the problem if you're a goalkeeper, there's only one place for you and another guy to compete for," said Lambert.

"But you're never too far from being thrown back in. Injuries can happen. This football club's got two excellent goalkeepers."