This was supposed to the continuation of Stoke City’s resurgence while nails have been on hand for Aston Villa’s coffin for some time. Instead, Paul Lambert’s superbly drilled defence came out on top and, capitalising on Andreas Weimann’s goal, Villa deserved their first away win since January 1.

Stoke, buoyed by finishing ninth in the Premier League last season and a summer of exciting transfer activity, capped by the acquisition of Bojan Krkic, expected better than to be outdone by a Villa side widely tipped for another battle against relegation after the club was put up for sale at the start of the close season.

Ron Vlaar, the Villa captain who excelled in helping Holland finish third in the World Cup finals this summer, epitomised all that was sound about Lambert’s side as Philippe Senderos, Alan Hutton and Aly Cissokho all gave performances befitting experienced Premier League defenders.

Kieran Richardson, another ageing addition, was also outstanding in midfield for Villa as Lambert looks to make do and mend in this transitional period for the club. Mark Hughes was left frustrated and chipping away at Weimann as the Villa goalscorer left the field too slowly for the Stoke manager’s liking upon his substitution. Roy Keane, Lambert’s new assistant, simply laughed as Hughes, his former Manchester United team-mate, struggled with his temper.

Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Show all 116 1 /116 Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke City - the latest match in pictures West Brom 1 Stoke 0 Brown Ideye nods in a brilliant header to score the only goal of the afternoon. Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures West Brom 1 Stoke 0 West Brom players rush to congratulate the Nigerian striker. Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures West Brom 1 Stoke 0 Ben Foster had to be replaced after picking up an injury in the second half. Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures West Brom 1 Stoke 0 Tony Pulis beat his former club again. Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke 2 Everton 0 Victor Moses puts Stoke in front with a superb header REUTERS Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Newcastle 1 Stoke 1 Peter Crouch scores a late equaliser GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Newcastle 1 Stoke 1 Jack Colback puts Newcastle ahead with 15 minutes remaining GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Leicester City 0 Stoke 1 A corner comes into the box at the King Power Stadium Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Leicester City 0 Stoke 1 Jeffrey Schlupp attempts to cross the ball under pressure from Danny Higginbotham Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Leicester City 0 Stoke 1 Bojan is croded out by Danny Simpson Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Leicester City 0 Stoke 1 Marcin Wasilweski is booked for a heavy tackle Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Leicester City 0 Stoke 1 Bojan produced a piece of magic to score the winner for the away side Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Leicester City 0 Stoke 1 Steven N'Zonzi has a late effort at goal Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Arsenal 3 Stoke 0 Laurent Koscielny opened the scoring at the Emirates GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Arsenal 3 Stoke 0 Mathieu Debuchy was seriously hurt early in the match GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Arsenal 3 Stoke 0 Alexis Sanchez doubles the Gunners' advantage GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Arsenal 3 Stoke 0 The Chilean scored a second to make it 3-0 GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke 3 Wrexham 1 Stephen Ireland of Stoke City celebrates with team-mates after scoring his team's second goal Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke 3 Wrexham 1 Mark Carrington of Wrexham celebrates after scoring the opening goal Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke 1 Manchester United 1 Ryan Shawcross puts Stoke ahead Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke 1 Manchester United 1 A close up of Van Gaal's notes during the match appeared to show the words 'stupid free-kick' GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke 1 Manchester United 1 Radamel Falcao equalises for Manchester United GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke 1 Manchester United 1 Falcao celebrates his goal GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke City 2 West Brom 0 Mame Diouf scores his first against West Brom GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke City 2 West Brom 0 Mame Diouf celebrates his second against West Brom GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Everton 0 Stoke City 1 Ryan Shawcross and Romelu Lukaku suffered a nasty clash of heads early on Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Everton 0 Stoke City 1 Garrth Barry takes down the marauding Bojan Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Everton 0 Stoke City 1 Steven Naismith was one of many players to fall foul of Lee Mason Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Everton 0 Stoke City 1 Bojan converts his penalty to score the winner Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Everton 0 Stoke City 1 John Stokes blocks Mame Biram Diouf's cross Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Everton 0 Stoke City 1 Charlie Adam is booked for a strong tackle on Kevin Mirallas Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Crystal Palace 1 Stoke City 1 Marin Kelly battles with Erik Pieters Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Crystal Palace 1 Stoke City 1 James McArthur celebrates after his looping header put Palace into the lead Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Crystal Palace 1 Stoke City 1 Peter Crouch celebrates scoring the equaliser Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Crystal Palace 1 Stoke City 1 Steven N'Zonzi holds off Jason Puncheon Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Crystal Palace 1 Stoke City 1 Ryan Shawcross wins a header at Selhurst Park Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Crystal Palace 1 Stoke City 1 Yannick Bolasie attacks Stoke late in the game Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke 3 Arsenal 2 Arsene Wenger reacts to his side's 3-2 defeat to Stoke Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke 3 Arsenal 2 Alexis Sanchez holds his head after the 3-2 defeat to Stoke Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke 3 Arsenal 2 Santi Cazorla scores from the penalty to make it 3-1 Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke 3 Arsenal 2 Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud look disconsolate after conceding a third goal Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke 3 Arsenal 2 Stoke players celebrate after Jon Walters scores a third Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke 3 Arsenal 2 Bojan scores Stoke's second against Arsenal Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke 3 Arsenal 2 Peter Crouch scores Stoke's first after just 19 seconds Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Stoke 1 Juan Mata and Marcos Rojo celebrate United's second GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Stoke 1 Steven Nzonzi fires in the equaliser GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Stoke 1 Marouane Fellaini scores United's first goal of the game GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Liverpool 1 Stoke City 0 Martin Skrtel wins the ball ahead of Georff Cameron Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Liverpool 1 Stoke City 0 Raheem Sterling is pressured by former Liverpool player Charlie Adam Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Liverpool 1 Stoke City 0 Philippe Coutinho dribbles with the ball Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Liverpool 1 Stoke City 0 The game ended a run of four matches without a win for Brendan Rodgers Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Liverpool 1 Stoke City 0 Steven Gerrard started from the bench for this game Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Liverpool 1 Stoke City 0 Glen Johnson was hurt in heading Liverpool's winner Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Tottenham 1 Stoke 2 Kyle Naughton receives his red card GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Tottenham 1 Stoke 2 Nacer Chadli celebrates his goal for Spurs GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Tottenham 1 Stoke 2 Jon Walters scores Stoke's second GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Tottenham 1 Stoke 2 Bojan Krkic (right) fires his shot past the lunge of Tottenham Hotspur's Danny Rose to score the opening goal GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Tottenham 1 Stoke 2 The players observe a moment of silence in a mark of respect to fallen soldiers since World War I on Remembrance Day GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke City 2 West Ham 2 Bojan and Morgan Amalfitano battle for the ball Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke City 2 West Ham 2 Geoff Cameron tries to get past West Ham midfielder Alex Song Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke City 2 West Ham 2 Victor Moses celebrates after putting Stoke into the lead Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke City 2 West Ham 2 Mame Biram Diouf made it 2-0 before half-time and Stoke looked like they were heading for three points Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke City 2 West Ham 2 Stewart Downing is mobbed after scoring the equaliser that handed West Ham a point Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke 2 Southampton 3 Southampton's Graziano Pelle celebrates his late winner Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke 2 Southampton 3 Pelle scores Southampton's third, and his second GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke 2 Southampton 3 Goalscorer Mame Diouf celebrates with Steven Nzonzi after Stoke equalise - but the jubilation was short-lived Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke 2 Southampton 3 Asmir Begovic can't get anywhere near Pelle's early strike Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Southampton 1 Stoke 0 Sadio Mane of Southampton scores the opening goal GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Southampton 1 Stoke 0 Asmir Begovic of Stoke City watches the ball cross the line as Sadio Mane of Southampton scores the opening goal GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Southampton 1 Stoke 0 Dusan Tadic of Southampton battles for the ball with Charlie Adam GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Southampton 1 Stoke 0 Sadio Mane of Southampton celebrates with manager Ronald Koeman GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke City 2 Swansea 1 Stoke City players surround referee Michael Oliver after he awarded Swansea City a penalty GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke City 2 Swansea 1 Wilfried Bony of Swansea City scores the first goal from the penalty spot GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke City 2 Swansea 1 Peter Crouch complains about shirt-pulling during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Swansea City GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke City 2 Swansea 1 Stoke City's Scottish midfielder Charlie Adam celebrates scoring a penalty to bring the scores level GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke City 2 Swansea 1 Jonathan Walters of Stoke City (R) is congratulated by team mates on scoring their second goal, and what turned out to be the winner, against Swansea GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Sunderland 3 Stoke City 1 Sunderland were celebrating again in the 79th minute as Steven Fletcher got his second of the afternoonn. Getty Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Sunderland 3 Stoke City 1 Steven Fletcher helped improve the spirits at the Stadium of Light by putting the Black Cats back in front. Getty Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Sunderland 3 Stoke City 1 Charlie Adam got Stoke City back into the game almost immediately, wiping the smile off Gus Poyet's face. Getty Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Sunderland 3 Stoke City 1 Connor Wickham gave Sunderland early hope of finally securing their first win of the season. Getty Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke 1 Newcastle 0 Peter Crouch heads home the only goal of the game between Stoke and Newcastle GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke 1 Newcastle 0 Mike Ashley looks on during the game between Stoke City and Newcastle GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke 1 Newcastle 0 Alan Pardew at the match between Newcastle and Stoke GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke 1 Newcastle 0 Fans call for the head of Alan Pardew at the match between Newcastle and Stoke GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Sunderland 1 Stoke City 2 Jozy Altidore opened the scoring in this Capital One Cup Third Round tie GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Sunderland 1 Stoke City 2 However Marc Muniesa of Stoke scored a brace to see the Potters through to the next round GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures QPR 2 Stoke 2 Niko Kranjcar celebrates his late equaliser GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures QPR 2 Stoke 2 Niko Kranjcar equalises for QPR with a superb free-kick with just two minutes remaining GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures QPR 2 Stoke 2 Peter Crouch slams home to give Stoke the lead again GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures QPR 2 Stoke 2 Robert Green is helpless to stop Peter Crouch's goal GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures QPR 2 Stoke 2 QPR players celebrate after their equaliser GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures QPR 2 Stoke 2 Steven Caulker and Leroy Fer celebrate the goal GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures QPR 2 Stoke 2 Peter Crouch and Charlie Adam can't keep Steven Caulker's header out GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures QPR 2 Stoke 2 Steven Caulker equalises for QPR GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures QPR 2 Stoke 2 Stoke players celebrate their opening goal GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures QPR 2 Stoke 2 Mame Biram Diouf heads in the opening goal from close range GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke City 0 Leicester City 1 Despite having to draw in plenty of pressure in the first half, it was Leicester who took the lead. Leonardo Ulloa, who had already scored against both Everton and Arsenal, got their winner. Getty Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke City 0 Leicester City 1 Inter Milan legend Esteban Cambiasso made his debut for the Foxes after coming off the bench. Getty Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke City 0 Leicester City 1 David Nugent has endured a slightly frustrating start to life back in the Premier League. He was isolated for large periods in the opening forty-five minutes. Getty Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke City 0 Leicester City 1 The first-half, a fairly scrappy affair, saw Ryan Shawcross receive lengthy treatment for a head wound. Getty Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Manchester City 0 Stoke 1 Mark Hughes celebrates victory against his former club GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Manchester City 0 Stoke 1 Mame Biram Diouf celebrates his goal GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Manchester City 0 Stoke 1 Mame Biram Diouf celebrates his goal GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Manchester City 0 Stoke 1 Stevan Jovetic and Ryan Shawcross exchange words GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Manchester City 0 Stoke 1 Sergio Aguero sees his shot saved by Asmir Begovic GETTY IMAGES Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Hull City 1-1 Stoke City Ryan Shawcross grabbed a late equaliser for Stoke City as the goal line technology system proved his bundles effort had crossed the line. Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Hull City 1-1 Stoke City Dr. Assem Allam, the Hull City chairman who was widely criticised for his rejected rebrand plans, looked happy from the stands. Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Hull City 1-1 Stoke City Nikica Jelavic, on the stroke of half-time, then lifted the mood at the KC Stadium by tapping in the rebound from Tom Huddlestone's ambitious long-range effort. Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Hull City 1-1 Stoke City Steve Bruce was visibly furious with the decision but his side remained calm and refused to let Stoke City's possession game tire them out. Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Hull City 1-1 Stoke City James Chester was sent off for Hull City after just 13 minutes after a clumsy last-ditch tackle on Glenn Whelan. Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke City 0 Aston Villa 1 Gabby Agbonlahor flies in to make a tackle on Erik Pieters during the first half of the contest Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke City 0 Aston Villa 1 Stoke City skipper Ryan Shawcross shields the ball from Charles N'Zogbia, allowing Asmir Begovic to safely collect Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke City 0 Aston Villa 1 Andreas Weimann celebrates the goal that put Aston Villa into the lead at the Britannia, he fired home from a narrow angle Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke City 0 Aston Villa 1 One Aston Villa fan got a bit over-excited when Weimann scored, running onto the field to celebrate with the players Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke City 0 Aston Villa 1 Glenn Whelan tackles Aston Villa new boy Kieran Richardson, signed from Fulham this summer, in the middle of the park Getty Images Stoke City - the latest match in pictures Stoke City 0 Aston Villa 1 Stoke's Marko Arnautovic evades Charles N'Zogbia to put the home side on the attack Getty Images

Weimann’s goal came early in the second half. There was a fine build-up through midfield before the ball was played to Charles N’Zogbia, another player returning from a long absence, this time because of a ruptured Achilles. N’Zogbia turned superbly on the edge of the penalty area, only for Glenn Whelan to scoop the ball off his toes. The Stoke anchorman chipped the ball out to Weimann, wide on the right of the Stoke box. The Austrian’s first touch was poor but he responded by winning the ricochet off Marc Wilson and thrashing his shot across goal and into the far corner of the net.

With Christian Benteke due back from the ruptured Achilles injury that ruled him out of Belgium’s World Cup campaign before too long and Carlos Sanchez, the Colombia anchorman signed from Elche for £4.7 million, to integrate into the side, the tide may be turning for Lambert after two difficult seasons.

The Villa manager was not getting too carried away as he recalled last season’s opening win at Arsenal while praise was heaped on his team. “The same was said last year,” Lambert said. “Our season probably went into freefall after we beat Chelsea, when we were about 12th, and the injuries to Christian and Libor [Kozak] never helped us.

“This year is a totally different feeling. I thought we were outstanding and that we deserved to win the game.”

Having signed Victor Moses on loan for a season from Liverpool, Hughes admitted that Bojan had struggled on his Premier League debut. “It was important he got some game time,” the Stoke manager said. “He showed glimpses in some situations. We need to be able to find him in those areas more often. We need to play him in the right games against the right opposition to get the best out of him.”

Line-ups:

Stoke City (4-2-3-1): Begovic; Bardsley, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters; Whelan (Adam, 82), N’Zonzi; Bojan, Ireland, Arnautovic; Diouf (Crouch, 71).

Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Guzan; Hutton, Vlaar, Senderos, Cissokho;Westwood, Delph; N’Zogbia (Grealish, 71), Richardson, Weimann (Bacuna, 83); Agbonlahor.

Referee: Anthony Taylor.

Man of the match: Kieran Richardson (Aston Villa).