Stoke City v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Clampy]

HairyHands on VT who seems to be in the inner sanctum of Villa Park just said Benteke won't play at Stoke, could be out for 2 weeks aswell.

Guess we're looking at a front trio of Albrighton-Kozak-Weimann. The best we've got really and one of those is woefully out of form. We really needed Gabby for this, can't see us creating much at all tomorrow.

We are going to miss Gabby, especially with our away game being based on counter attacking. I'd thrown Callum Robinson on the bench if he's been taken up there. A bit of an unknown quantity off the bench for the last 15 mins might be a good idea.

[SoccerHQ]

Reinforces my feeling this will be a 0-0 nothing sort of game and Stoke will nick it with 5 minutes left when we go to sleep at a corner or something, bit like Fulham away last season.

Not looking forward to tomorrow at all, prove me wrong Villa. The weather conditions predictably look horrendous aswell.

[dave.woodhall]

Reinforces my feeling this will be a 0-0 nothing sort of game and Stoke will nick it with 5 minutes left when we go to sleep at a corner or something, bit like Fulham away last season.

Not looking forward to tomorrow at all, prove me wrong Villa. The weather conditions predictably look horrendous aswell.

Every one I've seen says sunny until at least four then a few showers until five.

[pauliewalnuts]

I'd start The Gladiator. He really can't be any worse than Andi has been in some games this season. 

I tend to agree with that.

[Goldie.7]

Draw 0-0 or 1-1 all day long.

[ChicagoLion]

There will be a few of goals 3-2 us.

[SoccerHQ]

Reinforces my feeling this will be a 0-0 nothing sort of game and Stoke will nick it with 5 minutes left when we go to sleep at a corner or something, bit like Fulham away last season.

Not looking forward to tomorrow at all, prove me wrong Villa. The weather conditions predictably look horrendous aswell.

Every one I've seen says sunny until at least four then a few showers until five.

Dave, I still remember your entry for Stoke in your season review book a few years back, had a walk from the station along the canal to the ground which started off sunny and you got the four seasons in about 20 minutes.

I'm never the front so basically at that ground you triple the predicated 15mph wins so with a bit of rain it won't be pleasant.

[supertom]

I'd fancy Kozak to score more so than Benteke right now, so if the beast needs a rest for the time being, so be it.

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

Weimann doesn't deserve to start, he's been crap for most of the season. I'd give Tonev or someone a start instead.

[supertom]

Weimann doesn't deserve to start, he's been crap for most of the season. I'd give Tonev or someone a start instead.

I'd probably play Bacuna and Albrighton on either side of Kozak.

[dekko]

I reckon it'll be 4 at the back (including Lowton and Luna as full backs), the central midfield 3 as you'd expect and Kozak up front with Albie and Tonev out wide.

[b23]

Stoke 1 Villa 3

[Dave Clark Five]

Reinforces my feeling this will be a 0-0 nothing sort of game and Stoke will nick it with 5 minutes left when we go to sleep at a corner or something, bit like Fulham away last season.

Not looking forward to tomorrow at all, prove me wrong Villa. The weather conditions predictably look horrendous aswell.

So are you saying 0-0 or 1-0?

[ChicagoLion]

I hope he has worked out that Tonev is really not very good.

Anybody but Tonev please

[silhillvilla]

0-0 at 7/1 looks incredibly tempting.