Stoke City boss Paul Lambert admits he tried to sign Tottenham ace Dele Alli for Aston Villa.

Lambert made an attempt for Alli when he was still with MK Dons.

He recalled: “I actually spoke to him on the phone when he was at MK Dons for Aston Villa.

“He came across really well. But I knew Tottenham were in, it was always going to be difficult with Tottenham.

“He was a nice kid. He was only a baby then, that was a few years ago.

“He obviously chose Tottenham and he kicked right on. He had that little spell and then he scores two goals last week."