Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert feels that his side were unlucky to concede four goals in tonight's defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

After keeping Spurs at bay for much of the first half, Jermain Defoe struck just before the break. Spurs then went on to add three goals in the second half, including two in the final four minutes.

However, Lambert feels that the scoreline was harsh on his players.

"I didn't think there were four goals in that. We had a lot of players out injured and they were too much for us. But I couldn't fault the lads for effort," he said to BBC Sport.

"We gave it a go in the second half and their second goal was a really poor goal from our point of view.

"There are a couple of plus points from individual performances. Nathan Baker is coming back after injury. Marc Albrighton was excellent."

Early in the second half, Nicklas Helenius was pulled down by his shorts and Lambert believes that the referee should have given a penalty.

"That was a big moment. It thought it was a pen. I don't think anybody could believe it. It was a strange decision," he added.

Lambert also revealed that Christian Benteke will be out for four weeks with a hip injury.