Vampire Counts and Lizardmen huh.
As orochi said VC can be stylised more, since all vampires are very flexible, though I wouldn't recommend the Dreadlance he mentioned since he already has high WS, VC have good magic and solid infantry(I prefer ghouls), with solid I mean they don't flee, don't expect skeletons and zombies to kill somehting, varghulf and blood knights are hard-hitting and when flank charging wreak serious havoc and break the unit, though a nice infantry unit holding the target in place is needed.
Lizardmen, can be stylised but not as much as vampires.
For good magic you need a slann, skink priests are for a little support, the slann is and awesome mage. The other lord choice the oldblood is awesome in combat and well not too expensive, but he isn't cheap either. Saurus are solid infantry and krox/skrox and CoC can charge a pinned unit in the flank for extra damage.
Lizardmen aren't cheap nor really pricey, though I find kroxigors, CoC and Skinks a little expensive for what they do, some might disagree about the skinsk, but skink skirmishers are 7pts and pretty patethic in combat where they shouldn't be, for harrasment theyr are good, but still don't kill much, they are meant for high T low save enemies.
Well that was a lot fo talking without something usefull:victory:
But well on to the choosing:
Do you want to summon then take VC
Do you want infantry that actually kills somehting then take ghouls for VC, or saurus for LM.
Do you want infantry that can survive blow, go to the saurus.
well i can't think of more questions with answers.
VC and LM are really different, slann can buff or kill with their magic, they can take any lore fo the rulebook, while vamps can summon a lot or with forbidden lore take a lore from the rulebook.
VC have infantry that doesn't flee, but doesn't kill much either(except for ghouls and GG), while saurus warriors are tough and kill a lot too.
VC have more cavalry options, the one is weaker and cheaper then CoC and the other better and more expensive then CoC.