The Potters travel to Villa this weekend in a game that sees both sides hoping for a much needed win.
Stoke proudly sit 11th in the Premier League but are still a couple of results away from the bottom three and have a tough set of fixtures coming up. Villa are flying high but need wins against teams like Stoke to preserve their top four placing.
Stoke have improved their away record this season and have already beaten Tottenham away, whilst only losing to Liverpool, Arsenal and Hull. Villa's home form has improved tis term. Last year they were drawing too many at home but have sorted that so far and have comfortably beaten Chelsea at Villa Park this season.
In the 50 matches between these sides at Villa, the Potters have won 7, the hosts 34 and nine have been drawn. Last seasons clash at Villa Park saw the game end 2-2, with two late, late goals rescuing Stoke. Stoke have not won a top flight game at Villa Park since 1966, eleven games ago. Overall Villa have won 48 times to the Potters 28.
Rory Delap will be making his 100th start for Stoke should he start Saturdays game.
Lee Probert is taking charge of Saturdays game. He refereed the Potters in their only away win this season, at Tottenham, and also in the home Carling Cup win over Blackpool. This is the second time Probert has reffed Villa this season the only time so far being the Villains 1-1 draw away at Everton.
The Met Office report that there will be overcast conditions, temperatures of a chilly 2 degrees celsius, very good visibility and a weak 7mph wind.
Prediction: The Potters will be bombarded by pressure and go behind to a well taken goal, Milner supplying Agbonlahor, before Fuller replaces Sidibe on the hour mark and changes the game, running at tired legs the Jamaican combines with Tuncay to equalise in the closing stages