Stewart Downing reckons Aston Villa's home success against Stoke was even tougher than their victories at Manchester United and Sunderland, reports the Birmingham Mail. "It was another good win for us," said Downing. "It has capped off a good week with three great wins.

"It was always a big game for us because I think a lot of people just expected us to turn up and win but it wasn't like that. It was the toughest game out of the three we've had and we left it late but it was a good win.

"It wasn't pretty at times but that is a sign that we can do both sides of the game," he said.

"We have got a lot of attacking options but we can defend at times as well and make it dogged.

"It sets us up nicely for the two games coming up at Arsenal and at home to Liverpool.

"That was a tough game. All the players will say that. It has been a tough week. The manager is pleased and we are pleased."

Villa's three league defeats this season have come against the Premier League's lesser lights Wigan Athletic, Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United and Downing revealed that O'Neill had drummed into his side the need to raise their game, regardless of the standard of the opposition.

"The manager stressed the importance of this game and that, just because we had beaten Manchester United away and Sunderland, doesn't mean you just have to turn up and win," he said.

"He stressed that we had to work hard as a team and it was tough at times.

"I thought they got a lot of men behind the ball but we played some nice stuff and deserved the win."