Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert is banking on Stoke City fans turning on their players for their clash at the Brit.

The Potters have been in relative safety for the majority of the season, sitting in a mid-table position.

But the Premier League table is becoming so congested that defeat on Saturday will drag the Staffordshire side into the dog-fight.

Lambert said: "It's a great atmosphere there but I think of late the crowd have been edgy.

"You have to keep that with them and keep them quiet. We will go there to win and try to do what we have been doing.

"I don't think the crowd will faze us but it will certainly help our cause if we can get their supporters going against their own."