Don't you just hate international breaks? The season's three weeks old, the fans are enjoying the buzz of competitive football again, the players are beginning to gel together and suddenly they have to be whisked off around the world to represent their countries, risking injury in often meaningless matches, leaving thousands of supporters with a painfully empty Saturday afternoon. Stoke fans have had longer to wait than most for the return of Premier League football, but the Potters finally return to action tomorrow night in the televised home match against Midlands rivals Aston Villa.
The game can be seen as something of a battle of the feelgood factors. Tony Pulis's Stoke side are still without a point this season, but there is a strong sense of anticipation around the Britannia Stadium after Pulis's deadline day captures of Eidur Gudjohnsen, Jermaine Pennant and Marc Wilson, signings that were heralded by many pundits as some of the summer's best. Villa meanwhile will be given a boost by the fact that after the sensational exit of Martin O'Neill last month they have a new manager at the helm in Gerard Houllier, though the former Liverpool boss will not be at the match as he ties up the loose ends of his life in his native France.
TEAM NEWS
The selection question every Stoke fan will be waiting eagerly for an answer to is which of the exciting new acquisitions will play. It seems likely that Wilson will slot straight into the centre of midfield, with Glenn Whelan most likely making way, while Pulis has also hinted that Gudjohnsen, who is short of fitness, will not be used from the start and is most likely to feature from the bench to shake up his forwardline in the second half. Pennant could start on the right wing, adding much needed balance to a midfield that has for so long relied on Matthew Etherington for attacking threat, but he may struggle to displace Jonathan Walters, who has won plaudits from many of the Stoke fans who doubted his Premier League credentials when he joined the club four weeks ago with some impressive early displays. One possible solution could be to play Walters up front alongside Kenwyne Jones, who will also be making his home debut, with Ricardo Fuller, who has often been overlooked amidst the recent frenzy of signings, taking up a place on the bench.
Goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen is a doubt with an elbow injury, so his Bosnian deputy Asmir Begović could be called upon just weeks after his much-publicised alleged refusal to play in the League Cup win over Shrewsbury after he was the subject of a bid from Chelsea. Striker Mamady Sidibe is the only Stoke player who will definitely miss out after rupturing his achilles tendon, an injury that means he wasn't included in Pulis's 25 man Premier League squad.
Villa will be without young duo Fabian Delph and Andreas Weimann, who have knee and ankle injuries respectively. Burly forward John Carew is doubtful with a knee complaint, while former Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland, a summer acquisition for the Villans, could miss out with a hamstring problem.
Possible Stoke Side:
Sorensen
Huth Shawcross Faye Collins
Pennant Whitehead Wilson Etherington
Walters Jones
Subs: Begović, Wilkinson, Higginbotham, Delap, Whelan, Gudjohnsen, Fuller
Possible Aston Villa Side:
Friedel
L. Young Collins Dunne Warnock
Albrighton Petrov Reo-Coker Downing
A. Young
Carew
Subs: Guzan, Cuellar, Lichaj, Ireland, Agbonlahor, Delfouneso, Heskey
FORM
Stoke are pointless and second bottom of the Premier League, while Villa sit in a much happier sixth position. Their start to the season has been a mixed one though. They have enjoyed home wins over West Ham and Everton, but were thumped 6-0 at Newcastle, while they have also crashed out of European competition at the hands of Austria's Rapid Vienna. Villa have also enjoyed heavy supremacy over Stoke historically, winning 45 of the clubs' 103 meetings, as opposed to just 25 won by the Potters and 22 drawn. Stoke fans do have happy memories of recent meetings with Villa though, a dramatic 3-2 victory in August 2008, snatched at the death, was the club's first in the Premier League, while later that season Pulis's men fought back from being two goals down with just three minutes left to play to draw 2-2. Last season saw a 1-0 win for Villa in Birmingham and a goalless draw between the sides in Stoke.
PLAYER LINKS
Sorensen is the only current Stoke player to have represented Aston Villa, making 158 appearances in a five year stay at the club before an acrimonious exit in the summer of 2008. None of the Aston Villa squad have ever played for the Potters, although centre back James Collins came very close to moving to the Britannia Stadium last summer. Players to have turned out for both clubs in the past include Martin Carruthers (Stoke 1993-96, Aston Villa 1990-93), Neil Cutler (Stoke 2001-2004, Aston Villa 1999-2000) Patrik Berger (Stoke 2006-07 (loan), Aston Villa 2005-08) and Lee Hendrie (Stoke 2006 & 2007 (loans), Aston Villa 1995-2007).
THE REFEREE
Lee Probert will take charge of the game. The 37 year-old from Gloucestershire has already refereed Stoke this season, overseeing the 2-1 opening day defeat at Wolves and last took charge of a Villa game when they won at Portsmouth in April. He also officiated in Villa's home win over Stoke last season when he controversially and, it was generally agreed, wrongly, ruled out a Mamady Sidibe header that would have earned the Potters a point.
THE WEATHER
Light rain is predicted for Stoke-on-Trent tomorrow, greasing the pitch perfectly for Stoke's famous fast passing game.
PREDICTION
I foresee Stoke getting a much needed first point of the season thanks to a Fuller goal, with Carew finding the target for the visitors. Stoke 1-1 Aston Villa