Paul Lambert defends disciplinary record

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has defended his side's disciplinary record in the Premier League this season.

The West Midlands outfit have picked up 38 yellow cards during 17 league fixtures, but Lambert has insisted that it is only his side's "enthusiasm" that have seen them pick up the most cautions in the top flight.

The 44-year-old told the Birmingham Mail: "We're not going to be a soft touch. We're not a kicking side. We don't have many players who will go to kick at all.

"The enthusiasm sometimes gets them into things, but I would argue with people saying that we're a kicking side."

Villa picked up five bookings during their 2-1 defeat to Stoke City at the weekend.