The Potters host Aston Villa this Saturday in a game that sees two sides who are in good form of late, both showing themselves to be hard to beat. Stoke have a decent home record this season and have already beaten Arsenal aswell as Manchester City, Blackburn, Burnley, West Ham, Sunderland, Fulham and Portsmouth whilst only losing to Manchester United, Birmingham, Arsenal and Chelsea. Aston Villa have improved on last season, being stronger and more organised, but the pressure is on after a few extra cup games see's them have games in hand but needing points on the board. In the 50 matches between these sides at Stoke, the Potters have won 20, the visitors 14 and sixteen have been drawn. Last season when the pair clashed at the Britannia the game ended 3-2 to the Potters. Overall Villa have won 49 times to the Potters 28. The referee is Kevin Friend. He took charge as Stoke beat Pompey 1-0 this season. He has refereed Villa three times this season, a 2-1 home win over Chelsea, 2-0 away win at Sunderland and a 2-2 away draw with Crystal Palace. Prediction: Stoke net first when Etherington combines with Fuller before setting up a returning Kitson but Villa equalise after the hour mark through a Carew header
Stoke sit 11th in the Premier League, are virtually safe, and reached the quarter finals of the FA Cup but still have hopes of finishing in the top half and maybe, just maybe, sneaking a place in Europe. Aston Villa are flying in the Premier League and will be hoping to gain another three points in their quest for a top four spot.
The Met Office report that there will be sunny intervals, temperatures of 8 degrees celsius, very good visibility and a breezy 16mph wind.