‘Stoke City clip the Villans’

Britannia Stadium lit up in red and white as The Potters ascended to victory on home ground with goals coming in the second half of the game from Charlie Adam and Peter Crouch. 

Britannia Stadium lit up in red and white as The Potters ascended to victory on home ground with goals coming in the second half of the game from Charlie Adam and Peter Crouch. 

This left Aston Villa stunningly surprised on the back of a 2-1 defeat to rivals Stoke City. The Potters began to dominate in the second half of the game when Charlie Adam became a part of the throng as a substitute at the break. Adam clearly didn’t need much time, because 5 mins after being introduced into the game he had navigated the ball well into the back of Villa’s net; this after Crouch headed down a free kick towards him. He turned his marker easily before slamming pass a helpless Brad Guzan in goal. 

However, by the 66th minute Stoke City’s fortunes was about to change with Aston Villia’s Libor Kozák ensuring that the game was leveled by returning a similar slammer on keeper Begovic from a headed back towards goal by Erik Pieters. Kozák accepted the ball and slammed past the goalkeeper.

With not much time left in the game and both teams now level on the scoreboard many began to predict that this game, just like the many others between the two teams, would again result in a draw. But four minutes later, Peter Crouch intercepted a cross ball coming in from Cameron on the right. Crouch targeted Villa’s net that was clumsily guarded by Keeper Guzan and teammate Clark who both missed the ball and gave Stoke City the lead once again.

By now The Villans were well ignited and even claimed to have perceived a handball with the striker’s first touch. The half-hearted claims were waved away and Stoke City hung on to the end of the game. The Potters were not able to enjoy a smooth ride however, as they faced constant pressure from the men dressed in claret and blue who were also determine to fight to the finish: but to no avail. 

This win pushed Stoke City ahead of their rivals into the tenth position on the Barclays Premier League’s Table with only bright hopes for the future next when they go up against Newcastle’s black and white army known as ‘The Toon Army’ on Boxing Day.  

Photo: Peter Crouch (reuters) 

Writer: Andrew Laidley