Sports Mole rates the best and worst players in Stoke's 2-1 victory over Aston Villa, in Tim Sherwood's first game in charge of the Premier League strugglers.

Tim Sherwood's first game as Aston Villa manager ended in defeat as his side were beaten 2-1 by Stoke City this afternoon.

Scott Sinclair had given Villa the lead in the 20th minute when he headed in from Fabian Delph's cross.

The Potters levelled the scores on the stoke of half time when Stephen Ireland's delivery was nodded in by Mame Biram Diouf.

In stoppage time, Stoke claimed the three points when Victor Moses slotted in a penalty after he had been brought down by Ron Vlaar.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the events that unfolded at Villa Park.

Scott Sinclair of Aston Villa celebrates scoring the opening goal with Christian Benteke of Aston Villa during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Stoke City at Villa Park on February 21, 2015 © Getty Images

ASTON VILLA:

Goal

Brad Guzan: Made a very good stop to tip over a volley from Walters, but was left badly exposed by his defence for each of the goals that his side conceded. (6/10)

Defence

Alan Hutton: Got forward well down the right in the first half and was one of Villa's most dangerous players. Never caught out on his side of the pitch. (7/10)

Ron Vlaar: Poor afternoon for the Dutchman. He allowed Diouf too much time and space to head in the equaliser, before he gave away the vital penalty in stoppage time and was subsequently sent off for a second booking. (5/10)

Ciaran Clark: Almost snatched the points with a powerful header in the final minutes and made a number of decent tackles that frustrated the Stoke attack for large periods. (6/10)

Kieran Richardson: Was rarely troubled on the left, but had to go off injured just before Stoke equalised. (6/10)

Midfield

Fabian Delph: Delivered a great cross for Sinclair to head in the opening goal. Did not offer too much else and struggled to make a real impact. (6/10)

Carlos Sanchez: Solid performance from the Colombian on his return to the side. Never shied away from a tackle. (6/10)

Carles Gil: Offered very little to the Villa midfield and was replaced by Weimann just before the hour mark after some poor set pieces and sloppy passes. (5/10)

Attack

Scott Sinclair: Fine header to give Villa the lead and end his long wait for a Premier League goal. He made some good runs and looked lively throughout the match. (7/10)

Gabriel Agbonlahor: Found it hard to get into the match on his return from injury. He was rarely involved and posed little threat to the Stoke defence. (5/10)

Christian Benteke: Had only one attempt on goal - a header that deflected wide. He can hardly take all the blame, though, as he was starved of service from his teammates yet again. (5/10)

Substitutes

Andreas Weimann: Looked lively after coming off the bench, but made little impact in the box. (6/10)

Aly Cissokho: Came on for the injured Richardson, but, within minutes of his arrival, he allowed Ireland time and space to cross and set up the opening goal. (5/10)

Victor Moses of Stoke City celebrates scoring their second goal with Jonathan Walters of Stoke City during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Stoke City at Villa Park on February 21, 2015 © Getty Images

STOKE CITY:

Goal

Asmir Begovic: Barely had anything to do as Villa managed just three shots on goal. He did tip over a late header from Clarke, but the ball looked to be going off target anyway. (6/10)

Defence

Phil Bardsley: Should have done better for the opening goal, as he lost Sinclair in the build up. He fared better after that and was solid down his flank. (6/10)

Marc Wilson: Was not given too many problems. He dealt well with the threat of Benteke and defended well when called upon. (6/10)

Phillip Wollscheid: Another Stoke defender who was not overly troubled. Did a solid job for his team all afternoon. (6/10)

Erik Pieters: Got forward well on a few occasions and delivered a great cross that almost resulted in a goal for Walters. (7/10)

Midfield

Glenn Whelan: Decent showing in the midfield from the Irishman, although he picked up a booking for a foul on Agbonlahor. (6/10)

Stephen Ireland: Delivered a great cross which Diouf scored from and was involved in many of his team's best moves. (7/10)

Steven N'Zonzi: Strong display from the Frenchman, who was involved in a real midfield battle and made plenty of challenges throughout. (7/10)

Attack

Victor Moses: Showed some neat touches and made some decent runs, but his most important contribution came in stoppage time. He was brought down in the box by Vlaar and showed great composure to score from the penalty spot and give his team the three points. (7/10)

Mame Biram Diouf: Scored a fine header for Stoke just before half time. He looked lively throughout and was dangerous on both flanks. (7/10)

Jonathan Walters: Battled well for his team all afternoon and almost scored in the final minutes with a well-controlled volley at the back post that had to be tipped over. (6/10)

Substitutes

Dionatan Teixeira: Was brought on for the last four minutes and had little time to make an impact. (6/10)

Steve Sidwell: Came on at the same time as Teixeira and slotted into the midfield. (6/10)