Scott Sinclair has said that Aston Villa need to manage their games better after they lost at home to Stoke City, but claims that new manager Tim Sherwood is already having a positive impact at the club.
Stoke won 2-1 at Villa Park thanks to a late Victor Moses penalty, in an incident which also saw home captain Ron Vlaar sent off.
Sinclair had put Villa in front in the first half with his first goal for the club.
"I felt as though we needed to go forward and keep pushing for goals after we scored. We need to manage games better, keep possession and create more chances than we did," Sinclair told reporters.
"Once we get a win it will breed more confidence in the squad, so that's the main priority - getting three points and build from that."
Sinclair was also keen to support his captain after his dismissal.
He said at the post-match press conference: "Ron Vlaar has been a top man and outstanding in the game. One mistake can cost you and we need to make sure we learn from that."
He also praised new manager Tim Sherwood, adding: "He has made a difference. The first 20 minutes we looked enthusiastic, kept the ball and went 1-0 up. He has told us to go and do our thing and to make things happen."
Villa are currently 19th in the Premier League with 22 points from 26 games.
Matthew Smith
