Aston Villa vs Stoke Highlights Video

Aston Villa 2 - 2 Stoke City

A more familiar-looking Villa side took to the field against struggling Stoke hoping to put their UEFA Cup exit firmly behind them. Tony Pulis’ side, without an away win all season, set their stall out to frustrate Martin O’Neill’s men with a 5-4-1 formation.
Aston Villa made all the running and Luke Young caused the visitors problems down the flank. Emile Heskey just failed to latch on to a Gareth Barry ball and another dangerous cross, this time from James Milner, saw Zat Knight head over. Stoke rarely troubled the Villa defence and only Mamady Sidibe managed to cause Brad Friedel worry. Nevertheless, it took Villa until just before half-time to make the breakthrough, Petrov firing home through a crowd of players.

Stoke’s problems were mounting as former Villa keeper Sorensen was replaced by Simonsen due to injury for the second half. However, the introduction of a fit-again Ricardo Fuller gave the Potters impetus. Only a last-gasp Luke Young tackle prevented him from testing Friedel and he later volleyed over as Stoke pushed forward. When substitute John Carew swept home a second on 79 minutes, Villa seemed home and dry. But Ryan Shawcross headed past Friedel from a James Beattie cross sending the home fans, and some players, into panic mode and Glenn Whelan picked up a failed clearance and fired home a last-minute equaliser from 20 yards.