Aston Villa v Stoke City Pre-Match Thread

[Risso]

A feast of free flowing football that belies their respective reputations sees Villa complete a 6-3 victory after twice being behind. Pulis says "I really enjoyed the game, it's the taking part that matters" as he does a little dance for the cameras.
   

With Pulis appearing pitchside in a top hat, monocle and tails.  Paul Lambert's post-match interview being given with the clarity of voice and eloquence of Richard Burton in Cleopatra.

[Matt C]

Not expecting a thriller here... 0-0.

[bilsim]

1-1. We go ahead. they equalise. Nothing else happens.

[silhillvilla]

1-1. We go ahead. they equalise. Nothing else happens.

Other than 2 badly dressed managers shouting a lot.

[timeoutbigbar]

If we concede because of Jermaine Pennant cheating again I'll literally scream.

edit: Didn't realise he'd gone to Wolves.  Thank fuck for that.

[MonsXI]

I hate playing them! Would love a win but it's draw written all over it!

[Chris Stares]

Last on match of the day

I'd say definitely last on MotD:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20564749

MATCH PREVIEW

Hands up those of you who reckon your team is always on last on Match of the Day? It's a common, if misplaced, complaint.

I can assure you there is no sinister plot - 14 clubs have been featured last so far this season, and personal allegiances are put on hold when the running order is being thrashed out.

However, if one criteria does go a long way towards determining which game goes where, it's goals. Generally the fewer there are, the lower you are; what I'm trying to do here is prepare you Villa and Stoke fans for a late night!

I wonder how often we've been the "other" team of the matches involving the 13 other teams?

[silhillvilla]

Bit sickening that this is our pre Xmas home fixture
I can't imagine anything less christmassy than Stoke, we should put Fred West on the programme cover

[saunders_heroes]

Scrappy 1-0 to the Villa. Sooner or later Stoke will go down never to return to top flight football. They're just this era's Wimbledon.

[pooligan]

Bound to be the most boring match played at villa park this season. Honestly can not remember a match against them i enjoyed.Another hard fought match with it ending 1-1

[tomd2103]

Scrappy 1-0 to the Villa. Sooner or later Stoke will go down never to return to top flight football. They're just this era's Wimbledon.

To be fair, they have got some decent players in their squad, but I don't think they'll ever be able to kick on with Pulis as manager.   

[Nev]

I shall be avoiding this fixture by watching Halesowen take on Market Drayton Town and looking out for the result of the Tingle Creek from Sandown Park.

The only way to treat a match involving Stoke.

[dave.woodhall]

Scrappy 1-0 to the Villa. Sooner or later Stoke will go down never to return to top flight football. They're just this era's Wimbledon.

But they don't have to be. Wimbledon had to compete with clubs on four times their income - Stoke are the equals of most and bigger than some.

[Pete3206]

Bit sickening that this is our pre Xmas home fixture
I can't imagine anything less christmassy than Stoke, we should put Fred West on the programme cover

It certainly put a dampner on Boxing night last year.

[LeeB]

Bit sickening that this is our pre Xmas home fixture
I can't imagine anything less christmassy than Stoke, we should put Fred West on the programme cover

It certainly put a dampner on Boxing night last year.

It was a shite game, but we snuffed them by keeping ball for a change.

It was in our 'good spell'. Ha.