Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has hailed duo Matthew Lowton and Joe Bennett as "hidden gems".

Lambert bought the two youngsters from Sheffield United and Middlesbrough respectively this summer, and believes that they have made the step up to Premier League football with ease.

The duo are now Villa's first-choice full-backs, and Lambert insists that they have earned their spot in the side.

"People talk about them as hidden gems and you get great satisfaction from seeing them do well for themselves. The Norwich lads were exactly the same. There was the opportunity there for the young lads to drive on in the game and it's the same here," said Lambert.

"You wouldn't have thought they've just come from where they've come from, that's for sure. If you are talking about Lowton and Bennett, they don't seem fazed at all. They have played a lot of games with Sheffield United and Middlesbrough, so playing in front of big crowds will not faze them.

"Be it Championship or League One football, these are tough leagues so they are battle-hardened. They know what it is like to play proper football. They have earned the right to play at Tottenham and it is not something they should be frightened by. They should not go there with any trepidation."

Villa currently sit 15th in the Premier League having picked up five points from their opening six games.