After remaining unbeaten for the past three games, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Tony-c35440 Pulis’ side on Saturday.
In the 16th round of the English top flight football, Aston Villa will lock horns against Stoke City at Villa Park on Saturday, December 8.
Aston Villa
The Villans are heading into the game on the back of a hard fought 1-1 draw against Queens Park http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Brett-Holman-c8047 gifted the visiting side a lead within the opening eight minutes of the game. However, Jamie Mackie’s strike 10 minutes later restored parity. Both sides tried to score the winner, but had to settle for a point each at the end of 90 minutes.
Sitting at the 15th spot in the league standings, Villa have put in erratic performances at home since the start of the ongoing campaign, and their record on the road has also remained hapless. They have an overall record of 15 played, 3 won, 5 drawn and 7 lost.
Paul Lambert, the Villans head coach, has expressed confidence ahead of his side’s upcoming Premier League game, and has urged his troops to put in their 100 percent in order to secure a favourable result at home.
Stoke City
The Potters have remained unbeaten in their last five league encounters, and recorded convincing wins in their previous three Premier League games. After claiming 1-0 and 2-1 win against Fulham and Newcastle United respectively, they went on to secure an impressive 0-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion away from home on December 1.
Occupying the ninth spot on the Premier League table, they have thus far remained unbeaten at home, but their record on the road certainly needs improvement, only winning one of their eight games away from, if they aim to finish in the top half of the table. They have an overall record of 15 played, 5 won, 7 drawn and 3 lost.
Tony Pulis, the Potters boss, has admitted that his side will face another stern test away from home against the Villans, but has expressed confidence in his side’s abilities that they will manage to secure a good result.
Head-to-Head statistics
Stoke City have managed to win one of their last five meetings against Aston Villa, while the remaining four games ended in stalemates.
Players to watch
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Christian-Benteke-c9056 – Aston Villa
The Belgian attacker has emerged as one of the key players in the Villa squad following his impressive showings in the recent weeks. Netting three goals while setting up two more in 12 league appearances, the 22-year-old would be keen to better his record against an in-form Stoke City on Saturday.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Peter-Crouch-c29741 – Stoke City
The 31-year-old has struggled to perform consistently, but has remained one of the main players in their front-line. Has already bagged four goals and has provided two assists as well in 14 league starts, the English striker would be gunning to add more to his tally in the upcoming encounter.
Prediction
Both sides would not be satisfied for anything less than three points, and will provide plenty of entertainment to the crowd. However, it seems like that the two sides will have to share the spoils at the end.
Predicted score-line: Aston Villa 1-1 Stoke City.
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