Paul Lambert: 'Britannia Stadium still a fortress'

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has insisted that Stoke City is still a daunting place to visit, despite the club's change in management.

The Potters, who host Villa on Saturday, were known for being difficult to beat at home during Tony Pulis's seven-year tenure in charge that came to an end in the summer when he was replaced by Mark Hughes.

Hughes's Stoke have continued in this trend, having lost just once on their own turf in the Premier League this season, and Lambert has stressed that the Britannia Stadium still holds a reputation of being somewhat of a fortress, even if his side are up against a very different Stoke side this weekend.

"I don't think it'll be any different from what it was up there last year," Lambert told reporters.

"Mark took over from a really successful manager in Tony and he's added one or two of his own type. But no matter what type of football Stoke are playing, it's a tough place to go."

Stoke lost 24 of their 90 Premier League home games during Pulis's reign as boss.