Ricardo Fullerpicks the ball up just outside the Villa box and he works himself the space to shoot with his left-foot but his curling effort goes inches over the top of the bar with Friedel beaten.

Agbonlahor holds off the challenge of Collins and rolls the ball square to Sidwell just outside the box and with time and space Sidwell should work the keeper but he strikes it wide. He could have sealed it there.

Delap launches a long-throw into the box but Friedel deals with it exceptionally coming off his line to punch clear and Agbonlahor shows real maturity as he holds the ball up to give his defenders a much needed rest.

Stoke appeal for handball against Dunne but it came off his groin. Stoke have a corner though but the delivery is poor and Sidwell can head clear at the front post.

Stoke are sending the ball forward at every opportunity now but Richard Dunne and Carlos Cuellar have done brilliantly in dealing with the aerial threat so far.

Free-kick for Stoke and an opportunity to pour the big men forward as Etherington looks to deliver a dangerous ball from the right - The ball is swung in with pace and dip but Richard Dunne makes a superb clearing header.

Tuncay finds Whitehead in the right channel and he does brilliantly to turn it back across goal and pick out Etherington coming in at the far post but the winger fires it well over the bar from the edge of the box.

Are Stoke perhaps beginning to run out of steam having pressed so hard for over an hour? Ashley Young again is able to pick out a cross into the box and he finds the run of Dunne but the centre-half heads wide of the mark.

Downing feeds Milner as Villa look to hit Stoke on the break and Agbonlahor makes a great run in behind and Milner looks to find him but the pass is too firm for even Agbonlahor and it runs through for a goal-kick.

Ashley Young will look to test Sorensen from this free-kick - He strides forward to take the shot on but he curls it well over the bar. He'll be disappointed with that one.

Tuncay again has the ball inside the Villa penalty area but he has to do it himself, he twists and turns to try and create half-a-yard but as he pulls the trigger Warnock sticks a leg out to make a fine block.

Stoke press high up the park and Tuncay picks the ball up and runs at Dunne with Sidibe in space if he can slip him in but Tuncay opts to shoot and Dunne blocks. If he had passed Sidibe would have been in, selfish play from the Turk.

How will Stoke respond to the opener. This game could still go either way if the Potters can get back at the home side.

Tuncay stumbles through the box and twists and turns his way to the byline but his cut back evades everyone and Aston Villa escape.

A familiar combination for the Villains as Ashley Young looks to find Carew with a dipping right-footed cross. Carew meets the cross and tries to find the corner from close range but he fires it over with his weaker foot under pressure.

The came has been rather unattractive since the restart with both sides bypassing the midfield and opting to send the ball long from back to front but both defences are holding firm as of yet.

John Carew looks to get involved and is fed with the ball into his feet but as he tries to slide the ball into Agbonlahor's run the pass is overhit and the chance goes begging. Strong play from Carew there.

Etherington fouls Milner on the edge of his own box and gives Villa a chance to work Sorensen. Young and Downing work a training ground free-kick and the ball is shifted to Downing who strikes it low towards the far corner but it skips just wide.

Warnock looks to send the ball long but Collins heads it clear and Etherington looks to lead a counter attack but Carlos Cuellar comes across to make an excellent challenge to win possession back for the home side.

Ashley Young races down the left hand side and cuts back onto his preferred right foot and crosses towards Carew on the six yard box but the Norwegian toe pokes the ball wide.

Controversy in the Villa box - Stoke put together a fine move and Etherington stands the ball up to the back post where Sidibe comes onto it, he leaps above Warnock and powers the header into the net but the goal is disallowed for a push.

Milner takes a shot from the edge of the box but Stoke skipper Abdoulaye Faye gets a decent block in but is forced to concede the corner - Downing delivers from the right but Sorensen comes off his line to gather the corner.

Carlos Cuellar makes yet another fine sliding challenge - The Spaniard has been exceptional at the back for the home side so far.

Stoke are beginning to resort to their tried and trusted route one method of attack but the Villa defence have dealt with everything comfortably so far but they will need to keep their concentration.

Milner has been the main threat for the home side so far and again he drives forward and plays an excellent pass into the path of Ashley Young who shoots from the channel but Sorensen makes a comfortable save.

Villa starting to press. James Milner comes wide and looks to centre for Heskey from the right but Danny Collins is well positioned to clear the danger.

Villa come forward with Heskey down the middle, he lays the ball off to Petrov in support and he shoots with power. Sorensen can only parry it into the path of Agbonlahor who tries to prod the rebound into the corner but Sorensen makes a second save.

Tuncay looks to hold the ball up under pressure from Dunne on the edge of the box. Etherington comes forward down the left in support and Tuncay looks to find him but the pass is too strong and runs for a goal-kick.

Diao concedes a cheap free-kick on the Villa right and Downing will come across to take it - He swings it in left-footed and finds Dunne who stoops to head from deep inside the box but he cannot find the target.

Agbonlahor breaks down the right hand side and slips the ball into the path of Downing on the edge of the box but the winger drags his shot wide of the mark.

Both sides have started brightly and Stoke have not been afraid to get at Villa and take the game to the home side. No chances as of yet but this game has the potential to be a cracker!

Abdoulaye Faye finds space on the right hand side and opts to cross from deep to test the Villa defence but Downing is there to clear comfortably for the home side.