Premier League: Aston Villa v Stoke City match preview

A preview of this Sunday’s fixture at Villa Park

Paul Lambert looks on from the touchline (Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

The 31st week of Premier League action comes to draw live from Villa Park. As Mark Hughes’s Stoke side travel an hour down the M6 to face Paul Lambert’s Aston Villa in the definition of a true mid-table battle.

The Potters have every right to feel confident ahead of their travels after a fine run of form. After picking up 8 points from a possible 15 since the middle of February, Mark Hughes has all but confirmed another season of top flight football for his Stoke Side.

In a near mirror image of Stoke we find Aston Villa, placed comfortably one place above Stoke in 10th. Paul Lambert and his men will also be feeling confident coming off the back of their impressive 1-0 win away at Stamford Bridge last weekend. The team in claret and blue have picked up 9 points in their last 5 matches.

KICK-OFF: Sunday the 23rd of March, 4:00pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

21/12/13 – Stoke City 2 (Adam, Crouch) Aston Villa 1 (Kozák)

06/04/13 – Stoke City 1 (Kightly) Aston Villa 3 (Agbonlahor, Lowton, Benteke)

08/12/12 – Aston Villa 0 Stoke City 0

STATS:

Aston Villa have won only one of their last eight Premier League games against Stoke City, but five of the games have been draws in that run.

Aston Villa have not won three Premier League home games in a row since October 2007

Only Stoke City (398) have committed more fouls than Aston Villa (379) in the Premier League this season.

Both sides are locked on 34 points, a comfortable nine clear of the drop zone but also nine adrift of ninth-placed Newcastle.

ODDS:

Aston Villa to win: 2.15

Draw: 3.4

Stoke City win: 3.75

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 4:00pm, highlights on BBC1 at 10:25pm.