Can Aston Villa make it three home wins in a row? The first time in over 7 years? That would be quite an accomplishment for a team that has struggled at home this season. It was also mark an unbelievable turn off form for Paul Lamberts men. Aston Villa haven’t been the most consistent side this season but, like last year Villa’s form is starting to pick up again towards the end of the season. Aston Villa host Stoke City this weekend, so it’s 10th Vs 11th in the Premier League table. Both teams are level on points and a win for either team will see them close the gap to 9th place Newcastle.
Last time these two clubs played Stoke beat Aston Villa 2-1, Charlie Adam and Peter Crouch scored for the visitors while current injured forward Kozak scored a goal for Aston Villa. Sorensen and Peter Crouch may feature against their former teams. Peter Sorensen was Aston Villa’s keeper from 2003-2008 making over 139 appearances. Peter Crouch played for Aston Villa from 2002-2004 and made 37 appearances scoring 6 goals for Villa, he was signed for £5 million and sold for £2.5 million to Southampton. Last but not least Stephen Ireland joined Stoke on a free transfer in the January transfer market, he can’t play against Villa due to a clause in his transfer agreement but he did make 47 appearances for Villa and scored 1 goal against Chelsea.
Team News:
Ryan Bertrand is available again following inability due to loan from Chelsea. El Ahmadi is fit, despite a shin injury and Agbonlahor has also recovered from a calf injury.
Assaidi could make his comeback from injury this weekend. Erik Pieters is a doubt and will be assessed prior to the game. Robert Huth is out for the remainder of the season while Charlie Adam and Jon Wallters remain suspended. Ireland is unavailable due to a clause in his transfer agreement.
Match Facts:
Aston Villa have won only one of their last eight Barclays Premier League games against Stoke City, but five of the games have been draws in that run.
Aston Villa have conceded the most in total (8) and the highest proportion (21%) of goals in the opening 15 minutes of PL matches this season.
Stoke have lost just one of their last seven Premier League matches (W3 D3 L1) and that was away at Manchester City
Stoke have won none of their last 13 Premier League away games (W0 D4 L9) and have failed to score in six of their last nine on the road.
Stoke have already completed more passes this season (8674) than in any of their previous five Premier League campaigns, with eight games still remaining.
Predicted Lineups:
Guzan
Bacuna-Vlaar-Baker-Bennett
El Ahmadi-Westwood-Delph
Weimann-Benteke-Albrighton
Crouch
Arnautovic-Assaidi-Odemwingie
N’Zonzi-Whelan
Muniesa-Wilson-Shawcross-Cameron
Begovic
Match Prediction:
Aston Villa 2-0 Stoke City
I have a suspicious feeling that Aston Villa will lose this game. Yes, we are on form, yes our team is playing really well but I think our inconsistency will kick in again for some reason. Still there’s many reasons for other fans to remain optimistic. Our team is playing really well, there’s competition for spaces this season and I honestly believe that the likes of Weimann, El Ahmadi and even Bennett have really stepped up recently. Form and logic suggests Villa should win this, Stoke are missing quite a few influential players, but I’m not sure Villa will get that 3 home wins in a row.
Lads, you might experience a bit of a delay in your comments coming up.
We’re trying something that will hopefully keep the dickhead away from the site.
much like adam in the article ive got a sneaky suspicion we wont get a win today, it goes against current form but its just a feeling.
obviously id be very happy with a win and think it would be a huge achievement considering the season so far, our record against the top shows we have the ability, on occasions though we don’t have the confidence. sometimes we look like 2 different teams y’know, how can the team that beat Chelsea, arsenal and man city go and lose to Fulham?
unfortunately working at 4 today! :/
will have to rely on checking my phone and motd tonight.
UTV
Get In!
We actually looked class in the first couple of mins!
Im not going to get carried away but so far so good,supposidly theres alot of empty seats.coyl
Badger the comments are up the page mate not going where they should do.is that one of the problems that will happen?
I must of tempted fate,fucking shite.
Ahahahahahahahahaha – As if Gabbys a footballer. If he never had pace he’d be on the dole
Stoke have won once on the road since august,we’re far too hit & miss for my likeing it’s a fucking joke.
Can we turn this one round?
I’d say no mate,we’re having an off day i feel.hope we do there nowt special.
Whole midfield, Bacuna and Gabby been terrible.As was the ever shite Weimann
I said a few days ago we have the worst midfield in the prem and someone said our midfield is better than UTDS !!
30k thats pretty shite turnout,glad i saved my wedge.
I’m amazed that many bothered tbh. We all knew what was coming after last week wouldn’t surprise me though if we got something from the 2 Manchester clubs away. I really thought we’d win today tbh. Dean Saunders said Bacuna is not good enough to defend in the prem. Thought Bertrand and Bacuna were absolute shite I’m sure he only played coz it’s in his loan contract. Quicker he fucks of back to Chelsea the better
Fucking shambolic thumped by a team who’ve won once on the road,fucking disgusting.
well. luckly for me I didn’t get to see the game, my comment.
‘what the fuck?’
and anyone enlighten me as to why we made a double sub on 33mins?
Kae was injured and weimann feigned injury to save himself the embarrassment of being subbed he was was shite.