Peter Crouch strike keeps Stoke manager Mark Hughes on road to redemption "I was a little bit put out because I felt I was getting judged on 12 games rather than the 250-odd Premier League games I've been in charge of clubs for," Hughes said. I felt it was a little bit unfair but I could understand why people were questioning me. I've done it for a number of years now and I've got a number of wins behind me so I do know how to win in the Premier League. It's difficult but the situation is that sometimes you can't be successful because of lots of things that have an impact on you as a manager and the club you're at. I've always gone into clubs and tried to make them better than they were when I first walked through the door, and that's what I'm trying to do here. Hughes's recent run will be challenged by trips to Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur over the Christmas period but this was another result to encourage him ahead of the second half of the season. Peter Crouch produced a trademark performance and delivered the winner before heading off to see wife Abbey Clancy triumph in the Strictly Come Dancing final. Crouch was involved for Stoke's first goal, finished by Charlie Adam, and although Aston Villa levelled through Libor Kozak, the home team were never really threatened after Crouch's 70th-minute strike. These are worrying times for Paul Lambert. This was a third successive defeat and while his position as manager is watertight, supporters are starting to ask questions over his signings and approach to games. Christian Benteke's absence with a knee injury was arguably not too significant considering his performances over the past few weeks, but Lambert sorely needs a response from his squad to quell growing unrest. Villa now face Crystal Palace and Swansea City in successive home games. Lambert said: "You have to try and put a stop to it as quick as you can. You look at that mid-table, there is absolutely nothing in it.