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| Hughes losing to Villa in 1994 |
Stoke City
Where are we playing?
Saturday 3pm
Can I go?
Not unless you've already got a ticket. Home support may be dwindling but away fans are as keen as ever and all the tickets have been snapped up.
Easy to get to?
It's not very far away but it's one of least friendly towns to away fans in the league. We'd suggest driving and having a tot or two when you get back home frankly. If you're getting the train, we'd suggest a cab to the ground.
Can I watch it live on the telly?
Can I watch it live on the telly?
Saturday 3 o'clocker so not legally no. Naughty pubs or dodgy web streams are your best bet.
Big game?
Six pointer.
Villa don't just need the win, they need a big performance because the dross they've been serving up of late is a disgrace to the shirt.
Mark Hughes has managed to perk Stoke up of late and they can now be described as mediocre rather than dull. This has all the hallmarks of a "last on Match of the Day" fixture.
Do Stoke City have any famous fans?
Well there's Nick Hancock - once presenter of "comedy" sport quiz They Think It's All Over but we're not sure he even qualifies as famous anymore. There's also Mr. Hankey - not the Christmas Poo but the darts player Ted Hankey.
We've got Benjamin Zephaniah out of Peaky Blinders.
Big game?
Six pointer.
Villa don't just need the win, they need a big performance because the dross they've been serving up of late is a disgrace to the shirt.
Mark Hughes has managed to perk Stoke up of late and they can now be described as mediocre rather than dull. This has all the hallmarks of a "last on Match of the Day" fixture.
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| Mister Hankey |
Well there's Nick Hancock - once presenter of "comedy" sport quiz They Think It's All Over but we're not sure he even qualifies as famous anymore. There's also Mr. Hankey - not the Christmas Poo but the darts player Ted Hankey.
We've got Benjamin Zephaniah out of Peaky Blinders.
So we win.
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| Mrs. Crouch gets Christmassy |
Not Gabby Agbonlahor. He's hit his fifth yellow card and gets a one match ban. Fabian Delph should return from suspension.
No Ron Vlaar either. He's still struggling with his calf and might not be back till the New Year!
Totally out of sorts Christian Benteke faces the distinct possiblity of losing his place to Libor Kozak for the second time this season. Marc Albrighton probably did enough against United to keep his place.
Who's playing for them?
Stephen Ireland can't play because technically he's still our player. We should fear ex Villa beanpole Peter Crouch who'll relish taking on our confidence-sapped defenders.
Peter Crouch (groin) and Jon Walters (ankle) should be ok but Ryan Shawcross (groin) will have a fitness test
Peter Crouch (groin) and Jon Walters (ankle) should be ok but Ryan Shawcross (groin) will have a fitness test
Any useless stats?
Of course, here you go:
- Villa v Stoke is one of the oldest league fixtures. Aston Villa hammered Stoke 5-1 in the first meeting on 15th September 1888.
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| Hat-trick Hero |
- Our 3-1 victory over Stoke in April this year was our first ever win at the Britannia Stadium. Matthew Lowton's 87th minute strike was our Goal of the Season.
- We haven't been drawn against The Potters in a cup competition since 1962.
- Our biggest win over Stoke came on Boxing Day 1894, Charlie Athersmith netting a hat-trick as we ran out 6-0 victors.
- Didier Six scored a rare league goal for Villa in our 2-1 win in March 1985
He said, She said...
“Is that five Premier League managers who have lost their jobs? It’s extremely difficult. Everyone knows you have to win games" - Paul LambertMark Hughes: "Once again we've got a quick chance to get over a defeat. We're on a decent run and we'll try to get performance levels up to the standard we expect."
Prediction
Nil-nil, snore draw.
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