By Paul Brown in Philadelphia

Paul Lambert spoke of his delight at seeing Villa begin their USA adventure with a 1-0 win over Philadelphia Union.

Lambert said it was a "top drawer" display in a very difficult venue because of the passion of the home side.

He also picked out the commitment of his team as a very pleasing aspect of the evening.

He said: "It was a very good workout. I thought we were excellent, certainly for good spells of the game.

"I thought it was tough for us with the heat but I was delighted with the way we played.

"I thought we should have been two or three up before we did score but the football we played was excellent. I was really, really pleased.

"It's not an easy place to play with their crowd but I was really pleased with my team.

"The passing pleased me but also the commitment. I think that's always important aswell.

"You can't play without commitment. This last fortnight we've been at it. The lads have been great.

"I think they only came at for the last quarter - the last 15 minutes or so - but for us as the away team to play the way we did, having just come back from pre-season, was great.

"They are into their league season. That shows how tough a contest it was. And they have beaten some really big sides here. I am delighted with the guys.

"I think collectively they did well. Everyone did well.

"It was good to win and if you can keep that winning feeling going it can stand you in good stead. I know in pre-season though it's not the main thing.

"I just think they deserve a lot of credit for what they have done in the last couple of weeks after the disappointments of last year."

Don't miss out on Paul Lambert's Villa Park debut against Everton - click here.