Aston Villa v Stoke preview

Aston Villa look to further cement their UEFA Champions League status against strugglers Stoke on Sunday. 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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.John Carew has recovered from a back injury which kept him out of the controversial Uefa Cup tie in Russia.Martin Laursen remains sidelined along with Wilfred Bouma who is recovering well from a dislocated ankle.Stoke will be forced to manage without both Rory Delap and Matthew Etherington who remain suspended for Sunday's encounter.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.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.Possible starting XlsAston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Davies, Knight, Young, Milner, Petrov, Barry, Young, Heskey, AgbonlahorStoke: Sorensen, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Abdoulaye Faye, Higginbotham, Lawrence, Diao, Amdy Faye, Pugh, Sidibe, Beattie

Source: SKY_Sports