Preview: Aston Villa vs. Stoke City

By Robert Summerscales, Reporter | 08 April 2012

Sports Mole previews Stoke City's visit to Aston Villa, where the Potters will be chasing their first three points on the road since January 2.

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish will send his side out at Villa Park hoping to record only their sixth home win of the season in all competitions.

The spirited 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Saturday was the Villans' 13th league draw of the campaign - three more than any other top-flight team.

Meanwhile, after winning for the first time in five Premier League games, Stoke City will be aiming to record their first away league victory since January 2.

Andreas Weimann could start for Villa for just the second time in his career, while Gary Gardner is likely to return to the starting XI after starting on the bench at Anfield because of a virus.

Tony Pulis has hinted that he is likely to freshen up his Potters team following their 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That could mean recalls for Wilson Palacios, Matthew Upson and Andy Wilkinson, who missed Saturday's fixture with a groin strain.

Current form

Aston Villa: DDWLLD
Stoke City: LLDDLW

Possible lineups:

Aston Villa: Given; Hutton, Collins, Baker, Warnock; Gardner, Bannan, Ireland, Andreas Weimann; Agbonlahor, Heskey

Stoke City: Begovic; Huth, Shawcross, Matthew Upson, Wilkinson; Pennant, Palacios, Whelan, Etherington; Crouch, Jerome

Sports Mole says: 1-1