Stoke boss Mark Hughes praises Marko Arnautovic after Aston Villa win
Saturday 27 February 2016 18:54, UK
Stoke City boss Mark Hughes says striker Marko Arnautovic has 'the power and ability' to score more goals as his brace helped the home side seal a 2-1 win against bottom club Aston Villa.
Arnautovic, making his 100th appearance for the club, struck twice in five minutes early in the second half to end his run of five games without a goal.
He converted a penalty after Ashley Westwood's foul on Phil Bardsley before turning home Xherdan Shaqiri's cross from close range soon after.
His two goals took his Premier League tally to nine for the season and Hughes was pleased for the Austria international.
"He's getting a good return of goals," Hughes told Sky Sports. "We've been telling him since he arrived that he has the power and ability to score more goals and he's taken that on board.
"I think this is his best return of goals since he has been at the club. There were moments where we were frustrated with his play but that happens with most players."
Hughes was pleased with his side's overall display which lifted them into eighth spot in the Premier League table.
"We had to up our intensity [in the second half] and that's what we did," he said.
"Overall, I was pleased with what we produced. We had a number of occasions where just that final ball was lacking a little bit. We needed a bit of care picking out the right person, but all-in-all a pretty straightforward win."
