Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has refuted claims that his players are "dirty" following their 10-man 0-0 draw against Sunderland on Sunday.

Fabian Delph picked up his side's fourth red card of the season after being dismissed for a foul on Jordi Gomez in the 49th minute at Villa Park.

However, Lambert told reporters after the game: "We're not a dirty team, we don't have anyone really who is a dirty player. Look at the lads who have been sent off - they are not malicious at all.

"It doesn't look great but the lads are committed to the challenge. The Gabriel Agbonlahor one against Manchester United wasn't but Kieran Richardson's against West Brom I understand because his studs were showing. Christian Benteke's against Tottenham was provoked as I said at the time."

Villa currently sit 13th in the Premier League table.