Aston Villa v Stoke City [Premier League]
Venue: Villa Park Date: Monday, 9 April 2012
Links: http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?...73&part=sports
TEAM NEWS
Villa boss Alex McLeish could recall striker Andreas Weimann to the starting line-up after he recovered from an ankle injury in time to feature as a substitute against Liverpool.
Gary Gardner is also in contention after his inclusion on the bench following a virus.
Stoke boss Tony Pulis has indicated he will freshen up his side despite their victory against Wolves.
Andy Wilkinson (groin) could return after missing Saturday's game.
MATCH PREVIEW
Aston Villa's draw at Liverpool on Saturday was so close to being a much-needed win for Alex McLeish, with many Villa fans fearing the Scotsman is about to be in charge of a relegated side for a second season in a row.
The former Birmingham manager is never going to win over some sections of the Villa support, but for now surely everyone needs to be pulling in the same direction to ensure that safety is achieved sooner rather than later.
When Villa travelled to Stoke on 26 December they had 19 points from 17 matches. Now they have 34 from 31 Premier League games and with seven fixtures left to play, including this one, Villa lie just six points above the bottom three.
After this match Villa have home games to come against Sunderland, Bolton and Tottenham, with away trips to Manchester United, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich.
Stoke came from behind to beat Wolves on Saturday, but their away record is not that impressive of late. They've taken just a single point from their last five away matches in the Premier League.
However, it has to be remembered that this is Stoke's 51st match of the season, because of their Europa League campaign. Just like last year it's been a campaign to remember for Potters fans and I'm sure Tony Pulis will want his team to finish the season on a high, with a good run of form in their last few fixtures to secure a top ten finish.
It's very tempting to mark this match down as a draw - Villa have won just one of their last nine home League games, while Stoke have one win in their last five in the league.
It was a goalless draw when these two sides met on Boxing Day at the Britannia. I was there for Match of the Day and must admit I had to look up what had happened to remind myself of the events of that night. The answer was, not a lot.
It was deservedly the last match on the programme that night. Hopefully this meeting will be more memorable!
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Four of the previous seven Premier League meetings between the two sides, including the last two, have ended in draws. Stoke have two victories and Villa one.
Stoke are yet to win at Villa Park in the Premier League.
Aston Villa
Alex McLeish's side have won just two of their last 12 Premier League games.
Aston Villa have drawn 13 games in the Premier League this season - more than any other club.
Villa have conceded eight goals in their last three league matches
Their tally of 34 points from 31 Premier League games is exactly the same as they had at the identical stage of last season - they went on to win four of their last seven games.
Stoke
The Potters 's victory against Wolves on Saturday ended a run of four Premier League games without a win.
Stoke have won just three of their last 12 Premier League matches.
Only Wigan (30) have scored fewer goals in the Premier League this season than Stoke (31).
They have only managed to score more than two goals in a Premier League game on one occcasion this season - Boxing Day's 3-1 win against Blackburn.
Stoke have won two Premier League games after falling behind this season - both against Wolves.
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is back. Cheers!!!
Originally Posted by algi
