Aston Villa vs. Stoke City: Pre-Match Thread

[sonlyme]

What a difference a couple of results make.  From crying 'Houllier Out' we've progressed to 78.3% voting for a Villa home win over Stoke - with only 6.6% saying we'll lose.

Who are the 6.6%?

Why are they so miserable?  Can we help them in any way?  Surely it's better to live in half-assed cheery optimism than dwell in the foul shadow lands called by some - reality?

The sun will be out and at the very least it is a chance to test the media's case that the players all hate GMac - so will our lads capitulate or will they capitalise?
   
For me - A Villa win of any size will suffice against a well set up Stoke.

UTV and get well GH.

[pauliewalnuts]

Why are they so miserable?  Can we help them in any way?  Surely it's better to live in half-assed cheery optimism than dwell in the foul shadow lands called by some - reality?

We've got previous against Stoke, innit.

[PaulWinch again]

I think we'll win 3-1 with Benty getting a couple and Makoun getting the other.

[WikiVilla]

Despite GED sadly not being there, I will stick with my 3-1 home win prediction

[JUAN PABLO]

If we win 14-0 . I think GED will retire and G-Mac get the job full time  ;-o   

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

I think it will be a fairly low key 2-0 win to us.
An enjoyable sunny day   , we are as good as safe already and this will just confirm what we already know.

Sit back, relax, enjoy the day but by mid way through the second half we will be in a happyish but soporific mood thinking about getting home.
Almost makes you wish we were still embroiled in a finger nail biting edge of the seat roller coaster riding relegation survival dogfight. 

[WikiVilla]

We are not fully out of the woods yet, let's not get too blasé about this
Come on

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Lawro has spoken

Aston Villa v Stoke

Firstly, let's hope Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier is OK after he was taken into hospital on Wednesday.

His assistant Gary McAllister will be in charge for this game, and it is a great time to play Stoke because, and I don't care what their manager Tony Pulis might say, they will have one eye on the FA Cup final. That is the way it is - and it will be very difficult for him to bring them down from the high they will be on after thrashing Bolton in their semi-final last weekend.

Since losing to Wolves in March, Villa have won two games and drawn one and they look a different team. Their front players looked a real handful last week in their victory over West Ham and I think they will have another win to celebrate here.

Prediction: 2-0

[Villa'Zawg]

There are some miserable Sky stats around this game...

Aston Villa v Stoke City

In the three Premier League games against Villa where Stoke have scored, Tony Pulis' men have netted in the 90th minute.

Villa have only won one of their last seven matches against Stoke.

Villa have not won three Premier League games in succession since April 25th 2010, almost exactly a year ago.

The Villans have kept only one clean sheet in their last 11 Premier League home games.

Stoke have one win more (11) than at this point last season, but six defeats more (16)

The Potters have drawn the joint-fewest games in the Premier League this season (5 - level with Wolves)

Villa have hit just two direct free-kick shots on target this season.

Stoke have managed just 168 attempts from open play this season, fewer than any other Premier League side.

Kenwyne Jones has hit the woodwork six times this season, more than any other Premier League player.

Ashley Young has contributed 31% of Aston Villa's assists this season, only Leighton Baines at Everton has been more important.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

In the three Premier League games against Villa where Stoke have scored, Tony Pulis' men have netted in the 90th minute.

They are a real never say die side.

Which is a worry with our piss poor defence.

[JUAN PABLO]

There are some miserable Sky stats around this game...

Aston Villa v Stoke City

In the three Premier League games against Villa where Stoke have scored, Tony Pulis' men have netted in the 90th minute.

Villa have only won one of their last seven matches against Stoke.

Villa have not won three Premier League games in succession since April 25th 2010, almost exactly a year ago.

The Villans have kept only one clean sheet in their last 11 Premier League home games.

Stoke have one win more (11) than at this point last season, but six defeats more (16)

The Potters have drawn the joint-fewest games in the Premier League this season (5 - level with Wolves)

Villa have hit just two direct free-kick shots on target this season.

Stoke have managed just 168 attempts from open play this season, fewer than any other Premier League side.

Kenwyne Jones has hit the woodwork six times this season, more than any other Premier League player.

Ashley Young has contributed 31% of Aston Villa's assists this season, only Leighton Baines at Everton has been more important.

I wish we  could make Baines one of our top signing this summer.   

[Ads]

In the three Premier League games against Villa where Stoke have scored, Tony Pulis' men have netted in the 90th minute.

They are a real never say die side.

Which is a worry with our piss poor defence.

And that Pennant is a cheating ******.

[Lambert and Payne]

Villa 2-1 Stokies
              Jones
Bent (x2)

Heard there only bringing around 1k?

[alanclare]

Certain win. Their players aren't boing to risk an injury now, are they?

2-0. Bent and Downing

[Dave P]

A goal at Villa Park from Bent will be nice.  He only has the one