LIVE MATCH CENTRE
9 April, 2012
| Aston Villa |
FT
11
|
Stoke City |
Andreas Weimann 32'
1 - 0
1 - 1
Robert Huth 71'
HT:
1 - 0
Villa Park (Attendance: 30,100)
Aston Villa
Shay Given
1
Alan Hutton
2
Nathan Baker
32
James Collins
6
Eric Lichaj
30
Barry Bannan
25
Stephen Ireland
7
Chris Herd
31
Stephen Warnock
3
Andreas Weimann
26
Gabriel Agbonlahor
11
Substitutes
Charles N'Zogbia
10
Emile Heskey
18
Gary Gardner
38
Brad Guzan
22
Carlos Cuellar
24
Daniel Johnson
35
Samir Carruthers
40
Stoke City
1
Asmir Begovic
30
Ryan Shotton
17
Ryan Shawcross
4
Robert Huth
12
Marc Wilson
24
Rory Delap
40
Wilson Palacios
18
Dean Whitehead
26
Matthew Etherington
19
Jonathan Walters
9
Kenwyne Jones
Substitutes
10
Ricardo Fuller
16
Jermaine Pennant
25
Peter Crouch
39
Jonathan Woodgate
29
Thomas Sorensen
20
Matthew Upson
33
Cameron Jerome
Referee: Mike Dean
90'
Game Over
Aston Villa 1-1 Stoke City
90'
Foul
Dean Whitehead fouled by Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
90'
Throw-In
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
90'
Throw-In
Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
90'
Throw-In
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
90'
Foul
Jermaine Pennant fouled by Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
90'
Goal Kick
Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
90'
Throw-In
Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
90'
Foul
James Collins fouled by Robert Huth (Stoke City)
90'
Corner Kick
Jermaine Pennant (Stoke City)
90'
Throw-In
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
89'
Cross
Jermaine Pennant (Stoke City)
89'
Shot
Andreas Weimann (Aston Villa)
88'
Substitution
Emile Heskey on for Chris Herd (Aston Villa)
84'
Cross
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
84'
Throw-In
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
84'
Cross
Jermaine Pennant (Stoke City)
83'
Cross
Jermaine Pennant (Stoke City)
82'
Cross
Jermaine Pennant (Stoke City)
82'
Throw-In
Alan Hutton (Aston Villa)
81'
Substitution
Ricardo Fuller on for Rory Delap (Stoke City)
81'
Foul
Alan Hutton fouled by Jonathan Walters (Stoke City)
79'
Offsides
Peter Crouch (Stoke City)
79'
Throw-In
Alan Hutton (Aston Villa)
78'
Throw-In
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
78'
Throw-In
Marc Wilson (Stoke City)
76'
Throw-In
Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
76'
Throw-In
Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
76'
Goal Kick
Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
75'
Shot
Chris Herd (Aston Villa)
74'
Substitution
Charles N'Zogbia on for Barry Bannan (Aston Villa)
73'
Foul
Stephen Ireland fouled by Wilson Palacios (Stoke City)
73'
Throw-In
Alan Hutton (Aston Villa)
73'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - James Collins (Aston Villa)
71'
Goal
Robert Huth (Stoke City), Assist by Jermaine Pennant
71'
Shot on Target
Robert Huth (Stoke City)
71'
Cross
Jermaine Pennant (Stoke City)
71'
Foul
Jermaine Pennant fouled by Gary Gardner (Aston Villa)
71'
Throw-In
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
70'
Throw-In
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
69'
Foul
Wilson Palacios fouled by Stephen Ireland (Aston Villa)
69'
Throw-In
Alan Hutton (Aston Villa)
69'
Throw-In
Marc Wilson (Stoke City)
68'
Throw-In
Alan Hutton (Aston Villa)
68'
Corner Kick
Jermaine Pennant (Stoke City)
67'
Cross
Jermaine Pennant (Stoke City)
66'
Throw-In
Alan Hutton (Aston Villa)
64'
Throw-In
Alan Hutton (Aston Villa)
62'
Substitution
Peter Crouch on for Kenwyne Jones (Stoke City)
62'
Substitution
Jermaine Pennant on for Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
61'
Throw-In
Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
60'
Throw-In
Marc Wilson (Stoke City)
60'
Throw-In
Alan Hutton (Aston Villa)
59'
Throw-In
Marc Wilson (Stoke City)
59'
Goal Kick
Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
59'
Substitution
Gary Gardner on for Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)
58'
Throw-In
Marc Wilson (Stoke City)
56'
Shot
Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
56'
Goal Kick
Shay Given (Aston Villa)
55'
Shot
Robert Huth (Stoke City)
55'
Corner Kick
Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
55'
Throw-In
Rory Delap (Stoke City)
54'
Goal Kick
Shay Given (Aston Villa)
53'
Throw-In
Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City)
53'
Throw-In
Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
52'
Goal Kick
Shay Given (Aston Villa)
51'
Cross
Rory Delap (Stoke City)
51'
Throw-In
Rory Delap (Stoke City)
51'
Cross
Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
50'
Foul
Marc Wilson fouled by Stephen Ireland (Aston Villa)
50'
Throw-In
Rory Delap (Stoke City)
49'
Throw-In
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
48'
Shot on Target
Barry Bannan (Aston Villa)
48'
Free Kick
Barry Bannan (Aston Villa)
47'
Foul
Gabriel Agbonlahor fouled by Robert Huth (Stoke City)
46'
Foul
Alan Hutton fouled by Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City)
46'
Cross
Rory Delap (Stoke City)
46'
Throw-In
Rory Delap (Stoke City)
46'
Start Half
45'
Half Over
Aston Villa 1-0 Stoke City
45'
Throw-In
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
45'
Shot
Jonathan Walters (Stoke City)
45'
Cross
Rory Delap (Stoke City)
45'
Throw-In
Rory Delap (Stoke City)
45'
Throw-In
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
44'
Foul
Andreas Weimann fouled by Wilson Palacios (Stoke City)
44'
Foul
Dean Whitehead fouled by Andreas Weimann (Aston Villa)
42'
Throw-In
Alan Hutton (Aston Villa)
41'
Shot
Robert Huth (Stoke City)
41'
Corner Kick
Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
41'
Shot
Wilson Palacios (Stoke City)
41'
Cross
Rory Delap (Stoke City)
41'
Throw-In
Rory Delap (Stoke City)
40'
Cross
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
40'
Cross
Rory Delap (Stoke City)
40'
Throw-In
Rory Delap (Stoke City)
39'
Cross
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
39'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
38'
Foul
Rory Delap fouled by Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
38'
Foul
Barry Bannan fouled by Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
37'
Throw-In
Marc Wilson (Stoke City)
37'
Throw-In
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
36'
Throw-In
Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
36'
Goal Kick
Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
36'
Shot
James Collins (Aston Villa)
36'
Corner Kick
Barry Bannan (Aston Villa)
35'
Corner Kick
Barry Bannan (Aston Villa)
35'
Cross
Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)
34'
Throw-In
Alan Hutton (Aston Villa)
33'
Foul
Stephen Warnock fouled by Rory Delap (Stoke City)
32'
Goal
Andreas Weimann (Aston Villa), Assist by Stephen Ireland
32'
Shot on Target
Andreas Weimann (Aston Villa)
32'
Throw-In
Barry Bannan (Aston Villa)
32'
Throw-In
Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
31'
Throw-In
Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
31'
Throw-In
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
30'
Throw-In
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
29'
Shot on Target
James Collins (Aston Villa)
29'
Corner Kick
Barry Bannan (Aston Villa)
28'
Throw-In
Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
27'
Shot on Target
Rory Delap (Stoke City)
27'
Cross
Jonathan Walters (Stoke City)
27'
Cross
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
27'
Corner Kick
Barry Bannan (Aston Villa)
24'
Goal Kick
Shay Given (Aston Villa)
23'
Foul
Stephen Ireland (Aston Villa)
22'
Cross
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
22'
Cross
James Collins (Aston Villa)
21'
Throw-In
Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
20'
Goal Kick
Shay Given (Aston Villa)
19'
Shot
Kenwyne Jones (Stoke City)
19'
Throw-In
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
19'
Throw-In
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
18'
Shot on Target
James Collins (Aston Villa)
18'
Corner Kick
Barry Bannan (Aston Villa)
18'
Foul
Gabriel Agbonlahor fouled by Wilson Palacios (Stoke City)
17'
Throw-In
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
17'
Throw-In
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
16'
Throw-In
Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
15'
Foul
Ryan Shawcross fouled by Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
15'
Throw-In
Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
13'
Throw-In
Alan Hutton (Aston Villa)
13'
Throw-In
Alan Hutton (Aston Villa)
12'
Foul
Alan Hutton fouled by Kenwyne Jones (Stoke City)
12'
Cross
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
11'
Cross
Jonathan Walters (Stoke City)
11'
Throw-In
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
10'
Throw-In
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
10'
Throw-In
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
9'
Goal Kick
Shay Given (Aston Villa)
8'
Cross
Wilson Palacios (Stoke City)
8'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)
8'
Foul
Ryan Shotton fouled by Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)
7'
Goal Kick
Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
6'
Throw-In
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
3'
Throw-In
Ryan Shotton (Stoke City)
1'
Start Half

Not the best advert for the Premier League in what was a rather turgid West Midlands derby. There was endeavour, commitment and effort in spades from both sides, but quality was of a bare minimum. Andreas Weimann's first half goal was as good as it got on that front, with his delightful curler after a one-two with Ireland completely out of character with the rest of the encounter. Stoke, as ever, looked dangerous from set pieces and it was no surprise to see their equaliser come from a free kick when Huth powered a header home. A draw was probably a fair result and it's a scoreline which inches Villa closer to that golden 40-point mark. Sadly that means these two will have to do it all again next season. Twice. Full time at Villa Park, Aston Villa 1 Stoke City 1.
No more chances in stoppage time so it's a point apiece.
Stoke are taking their time with a throw. Looks like they're happy with a point.
Weimann races into the area but hesitates when in a great position, allowing Stoke to get defenders back to crowd him out. Exciting finish to this game, which is totally out of context with the rest of the 90 minutes.
We're into the first of five added minutes at Villa Park.
Shawcross has the ball in the back of the net from a Stoke corner, but Pennant's outswinger had bent out of play. Stoke thought they'd nabbed a dramatic winner for a second there.
Weimann looks a real prospect doesn't he? The Austrian skips past Shawcross and sends a deflected effort goalwards from 20 yards. Begovic plucks it from the sky.
Emile Heskey replaces Herd for the final two minutes, plus what will be a considerable amount of stoppage time.
With his head in his hands Herd is stretchered from the field. Fingers crossed that he's okay, but the main thing is he's conscious.
In fact Herd was in the middle of a Robert Huth/James Collins sandwich. Not where anyone wants to be.
The stretcher is on for Herd and there is some concern among the home players and medical staff. He's sat upright but is clearly in some distress, having taken a serious blow to the head.
Chris Herd will feel like he's gone 12 rounds with Mike Tyson after this game. He clashes heads with Huth now and looks to be in some pain - he's unable to get to his feet and seems to be disorientated. Might be substitution time.
Attacking change from Tony Pulis - Ricardo Fuller replaces Rory Delap.
Just 11 minutes to go and it's Villa in the ascendancy at the moment, but the three points are very much up for grabs.
Chris Herd, no doubt with his goal at Anfield from Saturday in mind, lines up a 25-yarder. The execution is all wrong, though, and the shot flies over the bar.
The mercurial Charles N'Zogbia is sent on to find a winner for Villa. Barry Bannan departs.
James Collins has picked up a booking for Villa. He thought he was fouled by Huth for the goal and argued his case a little to strongly for Mike Dean's liking. Huth simply got the march on Collins, who should have been stronger.
Right on cue, Gardner commits a really naive and daft foul by pushing Pennant just to the right of the box. Pennant swings the free kick onto the head of ROBERT HUTH who powers a header past Given for his second goal in two games.
Stoke are trying to build some momentum but Given hasn't been tested in a long time. One thing Villa have done very well today is not to concede free kicks in and around their own penalty area. Both of Stoke's goals against Wolves on Saturday came from free kicks in the Wolves third of the field.
Not much being held in reserve from these two sets of players. Herd takes a bang to the head after clashing with Crouch and needs a breather to sort himself out.
Good contest between Agbonlahor and Begovic as they both try to claim a Weimann hoof into the Stoke box, but the keeper comes out on top - literally - as he leaps highest to nod clear.
Here comes the cavalry for Stoke. Peter Crouch and Jermaine Pennant replace Kenwyne Jones and Matthew Etherington.
Gardner is involved immediately with a cute pass over the top for Hutton to chase. He reaches the right side of the penalty area but his pass inside is awful and Stoke intercept.
No need for the stretcher as Warnock can put weight on his ankle, but he's limping heavily and won't continue. Gary Gardner is on for Villa.
Painful moments for Neil Warnock who falls awkwardly onto his left ankle. The stretcher is on - doesn't look good for the former Blackburn and Liverpool man.
Agbonlahor, with Begovic past approaching, slots wide of the far stick from a promising position in the box. It was on his weaker left foot, but if he'd have dinked the keeper he could have doubled Villa's lead.
One-way traffic at Villa Park - it's all Stoke. An inswinging Etherington corner is sent flying past the post by a Robert Huth header. Stoke are good value for at least a draw so far, probably more.
Good pressure from Stoke who fling a few crosses and long throws into the Villa penalty area. It's what they do best.
Very decent shout for a Villa penalty here. Collins is wrestled to the floor by Walters from a Bannan free kick, but Mike Dean isn't convinced. Collins laughs it off, but if Villa don't win this game they may look back at that as a pivotal moment.
Villa get the second half underway. Neither manager made a change at the break.
Stoke shaded a dreadful first half but the game's only moment of real quality, from Villa's Andreas Weimann, separates the sides at the break.
Walters heads inches over the bar from a brilliant first-time Etherington cross on the turn. Stoke's best moment of the half.
Weimann takes a very heavy knock in the back from a crunching Palacios aerial challenge. After taking a minute to get his breath back, the Austrian is on his feet.
Huth nods the resulting Etherington corner comfortably wide of the post.
A long Delap throw from the left sits perfectly for Wilson Palacios to drill goalwards from the edge of the area. It looks goal-bound but Warnock throws his body at the ball to divert it for a corner. Superb defending.
Eric Lichaj is a little unlucky here. He loses his footing and takes down Rory Delap - it's accidental but Mike Dean hands the American a booking.
Four shots for Villa in this game now and James Collins has had three of them. His left-footed whack from a half-cleared corner finds row Z. They should give the ball to Weimann more - he's got a 100% conversion rate.
Heart in mouth time for Jonathan Walters as he diverts a right-wing cross just over his own crossbar.
The game's first moment of Premier League quality results in a wonderful opener from young Austrian striker ANDREAS WEIMANN. He's been completely anonymous thus far, but Weimann bursts to life when playing a cute one-two with Ireland and curling a 20-yard beauty past a helpless Begovic. Really nice goal.
If you had no affiliation to either of these sides there would be absolutely no reason on earth for you to be watching this match, unless you were a serial masochist. It's bad enough for Villa and Stoke fans, let alone neutrals.
Villa have had two attempts on goal now and they've been almost identical. Again, a Bannan corner to the far stick sees Collins send a tame header at Begovic.
Walters swings over a great cross from the left and Delap, at the back post, sends a firm but poorly-directed header into Given's arms. Stoke continue to look the more likely goalscorers here, if anyone.
This is a game desperately low on quality. Excitement is at a premium too - we could seriously do with a goal to wake everyone up.
Villa's fans continue their recent tradition of having an impromptu minute's applause in the 19th minute, in support of leukaemia victim Stiliyan Petrov. Truly heartwarming.
The shot-rate has just been doubled in emphatic fashion by Kenwyne Jones, who lashed into the side netting from a tight angle on the right. Decent attempt.
Eighteen minutes in and James Collins ends the no-shot amnesty. His header from Bannan's inswinging corner is fairly tame, though, and Begovic saves. At this rate we'll have five shots in the entire match - lucky us.
Well we're still waiting for our first shot on goal from either side. Pretty, this ain't.
You have to say that on paper this is a very poor Villa side indeed. Alex McLeish will be desperate to get to the summer with his job and Villa's Premier League status intact so he can bring in some experienced names.
Stoke have been the better side so far, no question. Villa are defending very deep and the visitors are focusing most of their attacks on the right flank.
The resulting free kick drops to the unmarked Huth who chests the ball but loses control and Villa clear their lines. Stoke scored from two set pieces against Wolves on Saturday - it's a big strength for Tony Pulis' side and Villa will need to mark tighter than that.
Stephen Warnock, playing as a left winger again for Villa today, earns the game's first booking for a late sliding tackle on Shotton as the Stoke right back looks to advance down the flank. Warnock doesn't even bother arguing with referee Dean.
It's very quiet at Villa Park and there are some big gaps in the home end. Villa Park isn't a happy place to be these days.
Decent pace to the game early on with both teams getting the ball down and playing.
Stoke, kicking towards the Holte End, get the ball rolling.
Peter Crouch and Jermaine Pennant drop to the bench while Glenn Whelan misses out altogether as Tony Pulis makes three changes to his side. In come Kenwyne Jones, Wilson Palacios and Rory Delap. Full line up: Begovic; Shotton, Shawcross, Huth, Wilson; Delap, Palacios, Whitehead, Etherington; Walters, Jones. Subs: Sorensen, Upson, Woodgate, Pennant, Fuller, Jerome, Crouch.
Andreas Weimann wins a recall up front in place of Emile Heskey, who drops to the bench. That's the only change Alex McLeish makes from the side which drew 1-1 at Anfield two days ago. Full line up: Given; Hutton, Collins, Baker, Lichaj; Ireland, Herd, Bannan, Warnock; Weimann, Agbonlahor. Subs: Guzan, Cuellar, Gardner, Johnson, Carruthers, N'Zogbia, Heskey.
It may not be pretty, but it could be a stirring local derby at Villa Park with points and pride to play for. Kick off is at 1730 BST.
Mike Dean makes his first visit to Villa Park this season. Dean has sent off a below-average four players so far in 2011-12, as well as showing 121 yellow cards from his 36 matches in all competitions.
Since Stoke's promotion to the Premier League in 2008 the clashes between them and Villa have been even affairs. In seven fixtures Stoke have won two - both at the Britannia - and Villa one, with no team winning by more than a one-goal margin. Earlier this season the sides played out a goalless draw at the Britannia, while last season goals from Darren Bent and Kenwyne Jones cancelled each other out in a 1-1 draw at Villa Park.
Andreas Weimann and Gary Gardner are pushing for recalls after shaking off ankle and virus problems respectively. Pulis has hinted that he'll make changes to freshen up his Stoke side. The Potters, who have Andy Wilkinson still doubtful with a groin injury, have played 50 matches already this season.
Stoke effectively secured their Premier League status for another year with a home derby win on Saturday and now Aston Villa will look to do the same against Tony Pulis' side at Villa Park. The Potters' 2-1 win over Wolves moved them to 41 ponts and although victory for Villa - who claimed a useful 1-1 draw at Liverpool on the same day - would only move them to 37, they could potentially be nine ponts clear of the bottom three with just five games to go for the chasing pack.