Aston Villa v Stoke City Match Thread

[Fergal]

Bent on second half me thinks.

he will need a bit of service...

[hilts_coolerking]

Bent on second half me thinks.

Yep, need to be much more canny in their area.  Play it in to feet.

[danno]

its nice to see that in contrast to last year, the flat footed hatchet men are playing for stoke now instead of us. (Hutton Dunne Collins I'm looking at you).

[TonyD]

Sounds like there is enough service into box from posts.  Can't see the game.

[hilts_coolerking]

Pubey (not Pubis) now 2-0 down.  Shame.

[Jon Crofts]

Fair play to Stoke fans, they pay to watch this anti football shite week in week out.

[ez]

Good performance so far. We've subdued them but they plan to nick it in the second half so must keep it up.

[Boz]

Good possession football by Villa but still no cutting edge in the penalty area.

Benteke works hard and this the difference compared to Bent, but perhaps if still 0-0 with half hour to go PL should give Bent an outing with Benteke and get some crosses into the box.

Stoke are just group of strong arm tactics players, but Villa will need to watch out if Crouch comes on, as he pinches goals.

[JUAN PABLO]

Id like to see Ireland come on , we need someone in  that area behind the front 2  to support and hes the man for that , could get a 1-0 .

[Bottom Right 89]

Great to see Pulis pissed off at half time, looks like they thought they only had to turn up and win but we're even winning the off the ball fighting. Good spirit from our lads keep it going we'll win this - give it till 60 mins if its still 0-0 get Ireland on.

[JUAN PABLO]

zero attempts for Stoke.   

[peter w]

Encouraging but unless we get bodies in and around their box we'll be relying on a bit of skill, or a defensive error.

[supertom]

Not bad so far. Again, really lacking that one special player in midfield who can unlock the door. But we've played our game, and kept Stoke from turning it into a physical battle. Our 3 CB's are coping well, whilst the wing backs are both decent in the air too. Stoke have no pace to trouble us, so Lichaj looks more comfortable today. Herd's playing well. Baker and Clark look solid.

Westy continues to impress me. Could be our Scholes (that's the post-30, deep lying scholes of course, not goal-scoring midfielder).

Benteke looks quality again. Think there's a goal in him today.

I think we're comfortable enough to sacrifice Holman's industry for Irelands potential flair. I'd also consider Delph or Williams at LWB to inject some pace.

We're just starting to get a bit more organised, a bit better of late. Looks like we could get enough of a run to pull away. The formation seems to work too. In certain positions, better quality could make all the difference. A really good footballing forward with Benteke would work wonders.

[Irish villain]

Wibble

[eastie]

scrappy game but we have been the better team , lets hope for a breakthrough.