Jamie Vardy says Leicester City begin every game like it is their first of the season, a mentality instilled by the manager, Claudio Ranieri, which has seen them climb to second after going unbeaten in their opening five games.

Vardy scored the equaliser as Leicester turned around a two-goal deficit to beat Aston Villa 3-2 on Sunday, and credited the spirit of the squad for the remarkable 18-minute purple patch. “The manager has got it built into us that we start every game as if we are on no points and we need to pick the three up to start the season again. We will be doing that exactly the same this weekend – we will be back down on zero points and hopefully able to pick the three points up against Stoke.”

The striker, who scored his third goal of the season against Villa, has played a key role in an attack brimming with pace which has racked up 11 goals – equalled only by the leaders Manchester City. Vardy had special praise for the winger Riyad Mahrez, who added two assists on Sunday to his four goals this season.

“He is like that in training, we know what he is capable of,” Vardy said. “He has started off brilliantly and carried it on. He will be doing exactly the same next week. He is unpredictable, you never know if he is going to chop them or put the cross in but that is just Riyad, he keeps everyone guessing. Sometimes he is unplayable, he can keep that up for all I care, as long as we keep getting the points.

“If I make a run and he doesn’t pass, it creates him space – it is an unselfish run which I am happy to do as long as it keeps us picking up points. The manager wants to get to the 41-points mark then we push on from there once we have got there hopefully. As long as we keep picking up points, it’s happy days.”

Gökhan Inler made his first Premier League start in the whirlwind match and admitted he will need to adjust quickly to English football. “It is more physical,” said the former Napoli midfielder. “It’s faster with the ball. And the referees don’t whistle all the time, like in Italy where maybe they whistle more. I like it because you can play football and you can play harder. The Premier League is nice, one of the best leagues.”

Inler has quickly been labelled as the replacement for Esteban Cambiasso, the club’s player of last season who left in the summer. “Maybe people look at it like that but I just look at my team because that’s what’s important,” he said. “Everybody must be a leader, everybody must give 100%. That includes me. I give my experience to the young guys, who I think have taken me well into the team.”