Stoke City V Aston Villa Betting: Saturday, 13th March

Stoke City V Aston Villa

Saturday, 13^th March – 15:00 GMT

Stoke City

League Position: 11th

Recent Form: DDWDL

Tony Pulis, whom will surely feel his side are not only in a healthy position to avoid relegation but are more than equipped to do so now, will set his sights set on a top ten finish and will need a win on Saturday to close the gap in Fulham to just a single point. They arrive into this home fixture in pretty good knick, with only their exit to Chelsea in the FA Cup their only misery of late, but do they have enough resilience, enough fight and determination to beat an ever improving Aston Villa.

The Potters narrowly lost the reverse encounter 1-0 at Villa Park but, because that game was so close, Stoke will fancy their chances of doing Villa over for a second season running at The Brittania after beating Villa 3-2 there last season. Their physical game play, their dogged persistence rocked Villa back then ata time when no-one really knew what Stoke were all about. Now, however, everyone knows what Stoke’s main strengths are, although knowing is only half the battle as many managers this season, despite being fully aware of the dangers Stoke pose, haven’t dealt with Stoke in the correct manner.

Like Stoke always do, The Potters will look to impose themselves on Villa at The Brittania, closing down whenever their opponents are in possession and sticking a boot in whenever necessary. It’s a logical tactic as it’s been so beneficial down the past. However, Stoke do leave themselves open to some quick play and Villa do like to get the ball down and play crisp, on the floor, football, and that’s a problem for Stoke as they aren’t the quickest of sides nor do they have the greatest of agility. Their tough, often referred to as ‘rash’ of late, tackles need to be spot on in this clash as Villa are quick with their feet and some late challenges in this game could see Stoke reduced to 10 men as no doubt referee’s will keep a close eye on Stoke now after the recent Ramsay controversy.

Arsenal were the last Premiership side to pay Stoke a visit at The Brittania in a game more remembered for that infamous Ryan Shawcross tackle on Aaron Ramsey which resulted in the Welsh international suffering a compound fracture in his leg. That was just two league fixtures ago so Shawcross will once again miss a league game for Stoke as he serves out his suspension, however, their tackles could be open to debate once again this Saturday as Villa do possess some tricky customers on the ball, with Milner, Young and Downing all nifty in possession. While being physical is an ever present feature in Stoke’s overall game plan, they mustn’t be over malicious in their tackles as not only could it cause danger to their opponents but it would also reduce their chances of winning a game if one sees red.

Aston Villa

League Position: 7th

Recent Form: DWDDW 

After a disappointing effort in the Carling Cup final, losing 2-1 to Manchester United, Villa made it up to their fans by booking another Wembley adventure after their enthralling win at Reading last Saturday, winning 4-2 at the Madjeski. It wasn’t easy though, with Villa having to claw back a two goal half-time deficit before eventually running out comfortable 4-2 winners. Their second half comeback was outstanding, however, and you would have to think it’s Villa who are the team with all the momentum, especially after Liverpool lost in midweek to bolster their top four claims.

Martin O’Neill knows his young side have to contend with battles on all fronts, with their progression into the semi-finals of the FA Cup now up their with finishing in fourth position as their season-long objectives. They were given a huge boost in midweek without even playing when Liverpool shockingly fell to defeat at The DW to Wigan Athletic, but this looks a tough outing for Villa and it will be a test of their character and resilience if they do somehow manage to cope with the aerial ability of Stoke in a fixture Villa can ill-afford to drop any points in.

While Villa’s recent league form isn’t half bad, it isn’t exactly great having gone six games unbeaten in the league but only managing two wins in the process. Moreover, just one of those wins was away from Villa Park, with Aston Villa winning just one of their previous three away fixtures in the Premiership. They have had some tough fixtures of late mind, against sides either in close proximity or above them, so to remain unbeaten for that length of time is a credit to the players and the manager. However, now is the time to start winning games, especially as there is an FA Cup semi-final just over the horizon, and building up some positive momentum is key heading into both the FA Cup tie and their remaining Premiership games.

The problem with Villa of late has been their scoring antics away from home, or lack of it shall we say. In their last three away games Villa have finished two without scoring, while they’ve scored a slim tally of 14 away goals this season, which isn’t a touch on the teams above them in the table. Villa must start improving, in an attacking sense, in their away fixtures if they are to put pressure on Tottenham and Man City for fourth spot, although The Brittania is a tough venue to start banging a few goals in. We’re sure O’Neill would take a narrow 1-0 victory just this once though as only the best have gone to Stoke and left with all three points this season.

Match Verdict: Aston Villa to WIN – 2.30 Boylesports

We aren’t sure Villa have the the necessary equipment at the back to handle Stoke’s threat from the air, with Richard Dunne, whom is hardly a reliable sort, and James Collins under immense pressure to deal with the long balls, Delap’s famous long throws and Stoke’s dangerous set-plays. If Villa’s centre-back partnering of Dunne and Collins put in a big shift then Villa will win this encounter, in our opinion, as Villa should at least find the net once in this fixture despite their recent poor vein of form in front of goal in their away outings. John Carew has the height and strength to handle the air battles so we have no concerns over him, especially after his hat-trick at the weekend, but we do have reservations over Agbonlahor. He looks powerful but he’s actually pretty fickle and flimsy. The latter needs a big performance up front for Villa, although his pace will trouble Stoke at the back. It will be tough, but we feel Villa could edge this tough, gruelling encounter at The Brittania.

Match Odds:

Stoke City – 3.40 Expekt

Draw – 3.30 Coral

Aston Villa – 2.30 Boylesports

SoccerBetting Value Pick: Aston Villa to WIN by 1 goal – 3/1 Bet365