Aston Villa saw their winless run in the Premier League stretch to seven games after falling to a 1-0 defeat against Stoke City.
Charlie Adam came close to scoring early on with a shot from inside his own half that forced Brad Guzan to tip the ball over.
Marko Arnautovic then had a goal ruled out for offside, before he made the breakthrough in the second half with a composed finish after racing onto Glen Johnson's through ball.
Villa almost grabbed a quick equaliser when Micah Richards headed inches wide of the post, but the hosts were unable to find the net as they remained rooted inside the bottom three.
Find out how the action unfolded below.
Good afternoon everyone! It is the eighth matchday of the Premier League season and things are already starting to take shape at both ends of the table. Here, our focus will be on two teams who have struggled in the early weeks, as Aston Villa welcome Stoke City to Villa Park.
Villa have struggled over the past couple of months and another relegation battle already looks on the cards for Tim Sherwood's side. The Villans have lost five of their opening seven matches, with last weekend's defeat at Liverpool a third straight loss in a row.
Things haven't quite gone to plan either for Stoke, and the Potters are only two points ahead of Villa in the table. However, they finally managed to pick up their first won of the season last weekend, as a late header from Mame Biram Diouf gave them a 2-1 win over Bournemouth.
Right, there's still plenty to discuss between now and the start of the match, but first let's take a look at which players will be starting at Villa Park this afternoon.
ASTON VILLA XI: Guzan; Hutton, Richards, Lescott, Crespo, Amavi; Veretout, Gueye, Westwood; Gestede, Sinclair
STOKE XI: Butland; Johnson, Cameron, Wollscheid, Pieters; Whelan, Adam; Walters, Bojan, Arnautovic; Diouf
ASTON VILLA SUBS: Bunn, Bacuna, Richardson, Ayew, Sanchez, Gil, Grealish
STOKE SUBS: Given, Muniesa, Ireland, Joselu, Afellay, Van Ginkel, Crouch
So, that's how our teams are looking this afternoon. Villa have made made two changes, as Jose Angel Crespo and Jordan Veretout come in from the side that were beaten at Anfield. Rudy Gestede continues to lead the line, after his recent double, while Scott Sinclair is also in the attack.
Meanwhile, Stoke have made just one alteration to the side that beat Bournemouth last weekend. Mame Biram Diouf is rewarded for his late winner against the Cherries with a start. He comes in for Xherdan Shaqiri, who has been ruled out of the match with a thigh injury.
Let's take a closer look at the two teams, starting with today's hosts. Aston Villa only finished three points above the drop last season, after improving in form when Tim Sherwood take over as manager, and it looks as if they will struggle this time around due to a poor start.
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They actually won their first match of the season against Bournemouth, thanks to a goal from substitute Rudy Gestede, but since then they have lost five and drawn one of their top flight encounters to remain rooted in the bottom three.
Only three teams have conceded more goals than they have so far, and it is their form at the back that has cost them dearly on numerous occasions. A prime example was against Leicester City last month, where they had raced into a two-goal lead before conceding three times in the last 20 minutes to throw away the points.
In their last match they also conceded three goals, as they slipped to a 3-2 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. The only positive will have been the two goals that Rudy Gestede scored, as the Frenchman took his tally to four for the season. He will be expected to fill the boots of Christian Benteke, whose goalscoring form in the final months of last season kept the club up.
It has also been a tough start to the campaign for Stoke, who are currently 17th in the table after picking up just six points. Many would have expected better from Mark Hughes's side, as they did finish in the top 10 last term and made a number of big signings over the summer.
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The Potters had gone into last weekend's clash against Bournemouth without a league win and when Dan Gosling cancelled out Jonathan Walters's opener, it seemed as if they would have to wait for that elusive victory. However, Mame Biram Diouf found the net in the 83rd minute to seal the points after a frustrating spell.
Stoke had not been playing badly up until that match, but everything seemed to be going against them. A week before they had let slip a two-goal lead to draw with Leicester City, due in part to some uncharacteristic defensive mistakes. They were also narrowly beaten by West Brom after going down to nine men, while in their opening match a stunning goal from Philippe Coutinho in the final minutes stopped them from earning a point.
A reason for their struggles at the back could be the absence of captain Ryan Shawcross, who has not played this season after undergoing back surgery. However, he has recently returned to training and could make his comeback in the game against Swansea after the international break in two weeks.
In last season's corresponding fixture, Tim Sherwood was taking charge of Aston Villa for the first time after replacing Paul Lambert. His team got off to a great start as Scott Sinclair headed them into the lead, but Mame Biram Diouf levelled the scores, before a stoppage-time penalty form Victor Moses won the match for the Potters.
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That victory was Stoke's third win in their last four games against Villa, and they have only lost two of the previous 11 meetings between the two teams. In fact, Villa's previous two wins over Stoke have come at the Britannia Stadium, and they have not won a home match against the Potters since 2009, where a goal from John Carew sealed a 1-0 victory.
As we get ready for kick off, make sure you check out our video preview for today's match if you missed it earlier in the week.
We're now just a few minutes away from the start of the match and the teams are both out on the pitch. Don't forget that we've got all of the other matches in the Premier League covered for you across the weekend live, so you won't miss a single piece of the action.
KICKOFF! We are underway at Villa Park!
CHANCE Huge opportunity for Stoke to take the lead so early in the tie. Stoke break quickly with Walters picking the ball up in the Villa half. He then charges forward and slips in Diouf down the right-hand side of the box. The striker then takes a touch and sets himself to shoot, but Richards makes a superb last-ditch tackle to block his attempt behind for a corner.
SHOT! Stoke are playing some great football in the opening minutes of this game and they are causing the Villa defence a number of problems. This time Arnautovic is picked out on the left by an inch-perfect pass from Adam, before cutting inside onto his right foot and bending an effort a few yards over the bar.
Gestede has already shown his threat in the air this season and he rises highest on the edge of the box to flick a header into the path of Sinclair. The former City man looks favourite to get onto the ball, but Pieters is there to make an important tackle and stop him from having a sight on goal.
Stoke are well on top at the moment and they are passing the ball around with ease. Adam has been given lots of space to dictate the play in the centre of the midfield, while the likes of Bojan and Arnautovic are also creeping into dangerous areas.
The hosts are starting to come into the match and they are enjoying a lot more of the ball. However, they still look vulnerable on the counter attack, as when Stoke break they are getting lots of players forward.
SAVE! Adam scored a wonder goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last season and he almost repeats the trick here. He spots Guzan slightly off his line from inside his own half and fires in a stunning effort that looks headed for the top corner. However, the keeper manages to get back in the nick of time to tip the ball over the bar and prevent another sensational goal from the Scot.
Villa are really struggling to create any chances, and whenever they get into the final third their attacks are quickly cut out by the Potters. They are lacking a creative force in the midfield, which Grealish could provide if he were to come on after the break.
In the space of a minute both teams threaten thanks to some fine play from their full-backs. Stoke are first to cause panic in the box when a cross from Pieters is just too high for the arriving Diouf to head past Guzan. Villa then break quickly with Hutton charging down the right and whipping in a teasing ball that is cut out before Gestede or Sinclair can meet it.
Butland has been one of Stoke's best players this season and he shows good reflexes to tip a header from Lescott over the bar. Even if the ball had found the net it wouldn't have counted as the Villa man was penalised for a shove inside the box, but it was still a fine piece of goalkeeping.
We are still waiting to see Villa create any chances, as they have not recorded a shot on goal all afternoon. They just seem to run out of ideas whenever they get into their opponents' half and the fact that they are playing three at the back may be playing a part.
A goal before half time isn't looking too likely at the moment, but there have been a few signs that Stoke could make the breakthrough. They still look far more dangerous in possession and Adam has already come close to scoring from range.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Controversial moment in the game as Stoke have a goal chalked off. Arnautovic makes a great run into the box to meet Bojan's cross from the right, but he is adjudged to have been standing in an offside position. However, the replays show that the Austrian appeared to be played onside by Crespo and I suspect Hughes will have some complaints after the match about that decision if his team fail to win.
Stoke have noticeably stepped it up a gear in the past few minutes and they are sensing that a goal could be within their reach. Villa could probably do with the half time whistle in order to regroup as they look a bit shaky at the moment.
This must be the first shot on goal from Villa this afternoon. Gueye receives the ball just inside the Stoke half and charges forward past a couple of challenges It opens up for him and he decides to go for goal, but his shot is poorly struck and goes high and well wide of the target.
Hughes will be the happier of the two managers at this point in the game, but he will be wary that his side have not been able to make their dominance count. They have been guilty of not taking their chances and finishing games off in recent weeks and he won't want a repeat of that today.
YELLOW CARD! Westwood picks up the first booking of the match just moments before the break.
There will be just one minute added on to the end of the first half.
HALF-TIME: Aston Villa 0-0 Stoke
We've reached the halfway stage of today's match and it's still goalless between Aston Villa and Stoke City. There has been little to cheer in the opening 45 minutes, but Charlie Adam almost scored another sensational goal from inside his own half, while Marko Arnautovic saw an effort harshly ruled out for offside.
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I've mentioned that Stoke have enjoyed more of the ball than their opponents and they have seen 54% of the possession this afternoon. They have also had seven attempts on goal, with two finding the target, while Villa only managed two efforts in the final minutes of the half.
Here's how things are looking at the break in the other Premier League games this afternoon. Man City have come from behind to draw level at 1-1 against Sunderland, while it is the same score between Bournemouth and Watford. Meanwhile, Leicester are a goal up at Norwich, and Sunderland are 2-1 ahead against West Ham.
RESTART! Villa take the kick off and get the match back underway.
SUB! Villa have made a change at the break with Grealish coming on for Lescott, which also means that they will now switch to a back four.
Stoke have made a bright start to the half and they are almost behind after a flowing team move. Walters is eventually fed the ball down the right and he has men arriving inside the box, but Amavi gets back to make an important block and cut out the danger.
Villa have been caught out so many times on the break this afternoon and Grealish gives the ball away cheaply inside his own half. Bojan is then slipped into the box and he cuts onto his right foot, before trying to pull it back for Diouf. However, his final ball is poor and the attack comes to a disappointing end.
GOAL! Aston Villa 0-1 Stoke City (Marko Arnautovic)
Arnautovic had a goal ruled out in the first half, but this time there is no debate as he gives Stoke the lead. The Austrian times his run perfectly to latch onto Johnnson's threaded pass through the Villa defence, before calmly sliding an effort past Guzan at the near post.
MISS! What a huge chance this is for Villa to quickly draw level. Richards looks odds-on to score after being picked out unmarked inside the box from Westwood's cross, but he gets his header all wrong and directs the ball inches wide of the post.
SUBS! Changes for both teams here, as Stoke bring on Afellay in place of Bojan, while Ayew replaces Sinclair for the visitors.
Villa are given another decent chance to test the Stoke defence when they win a free kick just outside the box. Veretout steps up to take the set piece, but his effort is poor and crashes against the wall, with the Potters breaking quickly on the counter.
SHOT! The hosts need a spark to get them back into the match and Gestede almost provides it with a powerful run through the midfield. He then reaches the edge of the box and fires in a low drive, but it is hit straight at Butland, who comfortably holds on.
SUB! Stoke are making their second substitution of the match with Van Ginkel coming on for Arnautovic.
There isn't much from Villa to suggest that they can get back into the match as it is relatively easy for the visitors at the moment. They aren't coming under too much pressure at the back and they look the more likely team to score next.
SUB! It's a last throw of the dice for Villa, as Gil comes on to replace Westwood.
SHOT! Richards has been one of the few bright sparks for Villa this afternoon and he makes a superb run into the box before going down after a fair challenge by Whelan. The ball is then cleared to Veretout, who looks to fire a strike into the far corner, but his effort is well blocked before the keeper has to make a save.
The pressure from Villa is mounting and they are getting into some very promising areas. Their final ball into the box is still letting them down, as Stoke are clearing everything that is coming their way.
Once again the decisive ball into the box from Villa is poor as Grealish plays in Amavi down the left. The full-back has plenty of time and space to measure a cross and pick out a teammate, but he ends up whipping the ball straight into the gloves of the keeper.
SUB! Stoke are making their final change of the as Joselu comes on to replace Diouf. The Senegal international had gone down over a tough tackle from Amavi and had to be helped off the pitch by his teammates.
SHOT! This would have been some way for Joselu to mark his arrival. The Spaniard's first touch sees him control the ball just outside the box, before he quickly spins and fires in a strike. However, it is hit straight at Guzan, who has no problems making the save.
SHOT! Down the other end of the pitch it's Villa who threaten with Ayew receiving the ball to the left of the box. He then shifts it onto his right foot and fires in a low drive, but can only pick out the side netting with Butland left untroubled.
There are going to be at least five minutes of stoppage time added on.
This is not a great sight for Stoke, as Diouf is stretchered off after receiving treatment on the side of the pitch. Let's hope that his injury is not as serious as it looks at this moment in time.
SHOT! Stoke are going to get a few more chances to hit Villa on the counter with the hosts pushing lots of men forward. It's Afellay who threatens on the break this time with a surging run down the left, that ends with his low drive from outside the box being held by Guzan.
This really is poor from Villa as they win a corner and get everyone into the box. Gil then tries to play it short, but he gives the ball away poorly and Stoke break quickly. The attack eventually breaks down, with Gil getting back to give away a free kick deep inside his own half.
FULL-TIME: Aston Villa 0-1 Stoke
Stoke manage to see out the rest of stoppage time with relative ease to claim the points and secure a second successive victory. However, it was another miserable day for Aston Villa, who have not won in the league since the opening day of the season. The pressure is certainly mounting on Tim Sherwood and his players, and the home fans greeted the final whistle with a chorus of boos.
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So, that's just about it for our coverage of this afternoon's match. If you still need a fix of more Premier League action, then you can find live commentary of Chelesa's meeting with Southampton right here. I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend. Goodbye!
Written by
Alex Meyers
Alex Meyers
