Tim Sherwood began life at Villa Park with a defeat at home to Stoke City back in March and although he recovered from that setback, it is beginning to look like another season of struggle for Aston Villa, who have picked up one point since winning on the opening day. This is a huge game. Villa are 18th and Stoke, who got their first win of the season last week, are two points above them. Jacob Steinberg
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Venue Villa Park
Last season Aston Villa 1 Stoke 2
Referee M Jones
This season G6, Y26, R1, 4.5 cards per game
Odds H 7-5 A 2-1 D 11-5
Aston Villa
Subs from Bunn, Bacuna, Richardson, Crespo, N’Zogbia, Clark, Traoré, Gueye, Veretout, Kozak, Agbonlahor, Ayew
Doubtful Agbonlahor (calf), Crespo (groin)
Injured Gardner (groin, Nov), Okore (knee, Nov)
Suspended None
Form LLLDL
Discipline Y14 R0
Leading scorer Gestede 3
Stoke City
Subs from Given, Muniesa, Wilson, Bardsley, Ireland, Sidwell, Shaqiri, Odemwingie, Affelay, Crouch, Joselu
Doubtful Diouf (hamstring), Shaqiri (thigh), Wilson (calf)
Injured Shawcross (back, 19 Oct)
Suspended None
Form WDLLD
Discipline Y9 R2
Leading scorer Diouf 3
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