Source: SKY_Sports
Aston Villa v Stoke preview
Aston Villa look to further cement their UEFA Champions League status against strugglers Stoke on Sunday.[LNB] Six points ahead of fifth-placed Arsenal, Martin O'Neill's side will be hoping to bounce back from defeat to Chelsea at Villa Park last time out.[LNB]Despite recording just their second defeat at home this term, the Midlands club can boast just five victories at Villa Park - winning double that amount on the road.[LNB]Although their away record is far superior, Villa will be boosted by the fact their opponents are yet to win on their travels this term.[LNB]With difficult games against Liverpool and Manchester United fast approaching, Villa will be fully focused on beating their Midlands rivals in order to keep their Champions League hopes alive.[LNB]Relegation threatStoke, however, will also be in determined mood as they bid to pull clear of the bottom three by beating Villa for the second time this term.[LNB]Securing a 3-2 win at the Britannia Stadium will seem a distant memory for the visitors who sit just two points above the drop zone and are yet to win on the road.[LNB]Recording just one win in 12 games, the Potters are in danger of making a swift return to the Championship with some tough fixtures on the horizon.[LNB]Yet to face fellow strugglers Blackburn, Middlesbrough and West Brom, Stoke's season will round off with a daunting trip to the Emirates Stadium in May.[LNB]Team newsAfter resting virtually all of his first-team players in defeat to CSKA Moscow earlier this week, O'Neill is expected to have a fully-fit squad at his disposal.[LNB]John Carew has recovered from a back injury which kept him out of the controversial Uefa Cup tie in Russia.[LNB]Martin Laursen remains sidelined along with Wilfred Bouma who is recovering well from a dislocated ankle.[LNB]Stoke will be forced to manage without both Rory Delap and Matthew Etherington who remain suspended for Sunday's encounter.[LNB]Pulis will, however, be boosted by the likely return of Ricardo Fuller who is expected to take some part in the match after recovering from a shoulder injury.[LNB]Liam Lawrence could be in contention after playing 45 minutes for the reserves in midweek following a stint on the sidelines with an ankle problem.[LNB]Possible starting XlsAston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Davies, Knight, Young, Milner, Petrov, Barry, Young, Heskey, Agbonlahor[LNB]Stoke: Sorensen, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Abdoulaye Faye, Higginbotham, Lawrence, Diao, Amdy Faye, Pugh, Sidibe, Beattie[LNB]
