Result: Aston Villa 1-1 Stoke City

Robert Huth
© PA Photos
German defender Robert Huth scored after the break to rescue a point for Stoke City in their trip to Aston Villa this evening.

In an opening 45 minutes of very few chances, Villa defender James Collins went close with a headed effort that Asmir Begovic parried to safety.

Villa were the more dominant side and went on to break the deadlock in the 32nd minute when young Austrian Andreas Weimann curled the ball beyond the reach of Begovic from the edge of the area.

The home side continued to dominate after the restart, but it was Stoke who claimed the game's second goal in the 72nd minute.

Jermaine Pennant crossed for Huth, who rose above Collins to head past Shay Given.

The visitors thought they had won the encounter in the last minute when Ryan Shawcross converted a knockdown from Peter Crouch. However, the goal was ruled out as the ball was adjudged to have left the field of play earlier in the move.

Villa are now seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Tables
TeamPGDPTS
1Manchester United384389
2Manchester City383278
3Chelsea383675
4Arsenal383573
5Tottenham Hotspur382072
6Everton381563
7Liverpool382861
8West Bromwich Albion38-449
9Swansea City38-446
10West Ham United38-846
11Norwich City38-1744
12Fulham38-1043
13Stoke City38-1142
14Southampton38-1141
15Aston Villa38-2241
16Newcastle United38-2341
17Sunderland38-1339
RWigan Athletic38-2636
RReading38-3028
RQueens Park Rangers38-3025