Stoke City chairman Peter Coates admits they're struggling for goals.

He acknowledged Stoke's shortcomings after defeat to Aston Villa made it just one win in 13, but insisted there have been plenty of positive signs recently.

"We know our big problem, we are not scoring enough goals," he admitted to The Sentinel.

"But we came away from the Everton game and I thought we deserved something, Newcastle likewise, so that's two good away games where we've got nothing and been very unfortunate."