Potters Slip Up Again

 

Stoke edged one step closer to the drop as they were beaten at home by fellow strugglers Aston Villa 3-1. This leaves Stoke dangerously close to the drop with only 3 points separating them in 15th place and Wigan in 18th place. Tony Pulis' side have only picked up a disappointing 5 points in 2013 and at the game on Saturday Stoke's biggest weapon at home (the fans) where somewhat subdued and this was the feeling on the pitch. Stoke created little chances throughout the game and were beaten by the better side on the day leaving some Stoke fans to question Tony Pulis and may feel that he is no longer the right man for the job as some fans believe that he didn't do enough in the January transfer window to bring in some much needed attacking power which the Potters have lacked all season.
Aston Villa opened the scoring on 9 minutes when Gary Agbonlahor was sent through on goal by Matthew Lowton who had a stormer of game at the Britannia. However on the 35th minute Agbonlahor sent himself tumbling looking for the penalty but the referee correctly issued a yellow card to the Villa forward.

Kenwyne Jones had a great opportunity to equalise for stoke as Matthew Etherington picked him out in the area but Jones messed up the shot and this basically summed up Stoke's day. Despite the negatives Stoke did find the net but they took their time as on the 80th minute Michael Kightly found the net and looked to really enjoy his goal and the Stoke fans who have had a really tough year now believed that they could find the winner. However young Villa defender Matthew Lowton had other idea's as a Villa corner was cleared by Stoke but only found the youngster outside the box as he scored a real contender for goal of the season as he chested down the clearance and his volley flew straight past a helpless Asmir Begovic to make it 2-1 to the visitors.

As Stoke began to push for an equaliser which they had 5 minutes to try and find one were caught on the counter attack by the visitors as it was 4 against 1 in the Stoke half when Christian Benteke calmly slotted the ball in the back of the net to put the game to bed at 3-1 and seconds remaining the home side were out of idea's and the frustrated home fans left the Britannia questioning the managers transfers which he bought in last summer. Meanwhile Aston Villa are now out of the drop and now just 1 point behind Stoke with 6 games remaining.

Karl curran (@currankarl)