Aston Villa travel to the Britannia Stadium this Saturday to face Stoke City. Stoke have enjoyed good home from yet again this season, having most recently beaten Chelsea at the Britannia. Aston Villa may have poor form home, but are a much better side away. Playing on the counter has helped Aston Villa beat the likes of Arsenal, Southampton and Norwich so far this season.
However a common result for both teams have been ties, in total Aston Villa and Stoke have managed a total of 10 draws between them. A very possible result for tomorrows game.
Team News:
Stoke maybe without defender Ryan Shawcross who limped off with a groin injury against Man. Utd in the League Cup last Wednesday. On-loan, Stephen Ireland is ineligible to play against his parent club.
Aston Villa welcome back Delph from suspension with but will be without Gabriel Agbonlahor as he faces a one-match ban. Chris Herd is back following a facial injury and Ron Vlaar remains a long-term casualty.
Match Facts:
Stoke City have lost just one of their last seven Barclays Premier League matches (W2 D4 L1)
Christian Benteke has now gone 11 hours and 59 minutes without scoring a Barclays Premier League goal.
Aston Villa have conceded more handballs than any other Premier League team this season (15).
Only four teams (Arsenal, Tottenham, Man Utd and Everton) have won more away points than Aston Villa (12) this season.
No team has been awarded more penalties than Aston Villa (3) this season.
Since they arrived in the Premier League in 2008, Stoke have taken 2507 long throws, 1271 more than any other side.
Predicted Lineups
Begovic
Cameron-Huth-Wilson-Pietres
N’Zonzi-Whelan
Assaidi-Adam-Arnatovic
Crouch
Kozak-Benteke
Bacuna-Delph-Westwood-Albrighton
Luna-Herd-Clark-Lowton
Guzan
Match Prediction:
Stoke 0-0 Aston Villa
Both teams can’t score, it’s as simple as that. Alright, that’s a little harsh on Stoke, they did beat Chelsea 3-2. But it will be a tough game for both sides. Aston Villa will play on the counter and a good result will very much depend on our defence. If the defence can keep a clean sheet until half-time, Villa could probably nick it. But if Villa concede early again, it’ll be a similar story to Fulham.