Paul Lambert talks up Joe Bennett ability

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has praised the impact of defender Joe Bennett during his side's 1-0 win over Chelsea in the Premier League last Saturday.

Lambert said that he was impressed with how quickly Bennett got back up to speed after months out with injury, and agreed that he would be in contention for a start at the weekend against Stoke City.

"He's had a hard time but that performance was excellent," Lambert told the Birmingham Mail. "I never really waver when a lad goes on to the pitch.

"If they are out there I believe they'll go and do the job and try their utmost, so I trust them to go and do their best. He was outstanding. It was his first game there for months and months and I thought he was absolutely terrific for us.

"He made a brilliant tackle in the first half when the ball got whipped across the six-yard line and he cleared it. He was up against a guy that cost millions and it was a mammoth performance from Joe."

Villa are currently 10th in the Premier League, nine points clear of relegation danger.