Preview: Aston Villa vs. Stoke City

Both Aston Villa and Stoke City will be confident of continuing their recent good form when they face each other at Villa Park on Sunday.

Villa have won their last two Premier League fixtures, including an excellent 1-0 success over league leaders Chelsea last weekend.

The Potters have lost just once in six games, with home triumphs against Arsenal and West Ham United moving them level on points with the West Midlands outfit.

Villa manager Paul Lambert is likely to retain the same starting lineup after the win over the Blues, but Ryan Bertrand is pushing for a recall after missing out against his parent club.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes could be without Erik Pieters due to injury, with former Barcelona defender Marc Muniesa in line to replace the Dutchman, while Stephen Ireland is ineligible.

Recent form

Aston Villa: LLDLWW

Stoke City: DDLWDW

Possible starting lineups

Aston Villa: Guzan; Bacuna, Bennett, Vlaar, Bertrand; Westwood, El Ahmadi, Delph; Benteke, Weimann, Agbonlahor

Stoke City: Begovic; Cameron, Muniesa, Shawcross, Wilson; N'Zonzi, Odemwingie, Whelan, Palacios, Arnautovic; Crouch

Sports Mole says: 1-1