Half-Time Report: Stoke City in control against Aston Villa

Stoke City have a 3-1 lead over Aston Villa at the break in this afternoon's Premier League encounter at Villa Park.

The hosts took the lead with just five minutes on the clock when Christian Benteke fired in following Fabian Delph's cross.

However, the visitors got themselves level against the run of play on 26 minutes when Peter Odemwingie latched onto Peter Crouch's header and slotted past Brad Guzan.

Stoke turned the game on its head two minutes later thanks to Crouch's finish from close range after Erik Pieters had muscled his way past Andreas Weimann.

The Potters then bagged themselves a third goal in the final minutes of the half as Steven Nzonzi was allowed to shoot low into the corner.