Stoke City 2 Aston Villa 1: We’re moving in right direction – Hughes

A defiant Mark Hughes insisted Stoke City are moving in the right direction after the Potters edged to victory over Aston Villa.

Charie Adam edged the Potters into the lead after half-time but Stoke’s advantage lasted 16 minutes before Libor Kozak levelled at the Britannia Stadium.

We are going in the right direction. We want to kick on from this point
onwards

Mark Hughes

However, Peter Crouch netted the winner against his former club to help Stoke move into the top half of the Premier League table on 21 points.

“It was difficult for us in the first half. We were against the wind. We set our stall out in the second half when the wind was with us. Peter Crouch, among others, did well.

“He gave us a focal point and we scored two good goals. They got the leveller through an individual error but we responded and all-in all a good afternoon.

“I felt we did enough to win the game.

“We are doing ok. We are going in the right direction. We want to kick on from this point
onwards. We have worked hard in first part of season and we need to continue that.”

Villa manager Lambert felt the Birmingham side were unfortunate to miss out on a point after a competitive display.

“I thought we were excellent in the first half. The wind was very strong but even in the second half we had chances. It was a very close game.

“We thought when we got it 1-1 that we might have gone on. We will go again. I don’t think we deserved to lose.”