By Dan Harrison

Matthew Lowton has urged Villa to take their winning habit from pre-season into the new Barclays Premier League campaign.

Lowton, who scored his first goal for the club in the final US tour game against Portland Timbers, insists new boss Paul Lambert has already started to instil a winning mentality.

The boys in claret and blue are unbeaten in pre-season, having defeated Burton Albion, Philadelphia Union and Chicago Fire before winning a penalty shootout against Portland following a 2-2 draw.

New recruit Lowton says it is vital that the team take that momentum into the new league season.

"We need that winning mentality throughout the season, whether it's a friendly or a league game," he said.

"We need to make sure that we're disappointed when we lose and elated when we win.

"The manager has got a plan and we're buying into it, definitely.

"In training and the game you can see the tempo and the passing.

"Some of the moves we're doing are unbelievable.

"It's great to see and hopefully we can take it into the season."

Lowton admits the US tour has played a massive part in helping him settle in following his move from Sheffield United.

"It's been a great tour," he added. "It's given me the chance to bond with the lads and get used to how the gaffer wants to play and how the lads play.

"I've enjoyed every minute of it and I think we were unfortunate not to win the final game in Portland outright.

"But we've done it on penalties anyway so we've come out with three wins from three.

"I'm settling in well to be fair. The lads have been fantastic.

"They've really helped me settle in. I've been getting involved with different things."

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