Aston Villa midfielder Carlos Sanchez admits the pace of the Premier League has surprised him.

Sanchez played in the defeat to Stoke City after three games on the bench.

"In this English game there is not a lot of transition," he told the Birmingham Mail.

"It switches from attack to defence in a flash.

"I was used to a game with more control, like in Spain.

"It cost me a bit at the start but the (ex) manager (Lambert) kept telling me he understood that and my team-mates, too.

"I feel as though I have got used to it now and I feel a lot better.

"You have to always be looking behind you and be up to speed - have the tempo of the game.

"The language was fine because football is the same language."