A second-half Marko Arnautovic goal has given Stoke City a 1-0 away win over Aston Villa in their Premier League clash this afternoon.
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Stoke started the game brightly, as Villa captain Micah Richards blocked an effort on goal from Mame Biram Diouf before Arnautovic cut inside from the left to fire over the bar.
The Potters continued to press Villa but were unable to find an opening, as Diouf headed over from an Arnautovic cross, before the Austrian fired past Guzan after completing a one-two with Bojan, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
The visitors continued to dominate proceedings after the break, and took the lead on 55 minutes as Glen Johnson played a good through-ball for the run of Arnautovic, who slotted past Guzan to score a deserved goal for the Potters.
Villa came close to finding an equaliser soon after as Richards headed wide from an Ashley Westwood cross, before Rudy Gestede ran tried his luck from the edge of the Stoke penalty area after breaking from the halfway line, but his effort was comfortable for Jack Butland.
Substitute Joselu came close to securing the victory for Stoke before the final whistle, but his effort from outside the box was comfortable for Guzan.
Stephen Topping
