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The Potters come to Villa Park on a three-game winning streak, with Fulham (1-0), Newcastle (2-1) and West Brom (1-0) the scalps they’ve claimed along the way, decent sides all. Over the last five games, Tony Pullis’ Stoke have taken 13 points on four wins and a draw.

Moreover, stopper Asmir Begovic has seven clean sheets this season. Their formula isn’t hard to figure.

Despite this recent run of form, Stoke are chasing back-to-back away wins in the EPL for only the second time, following their win at the Hawthorns last week. The first time they accomplished the feat was last season, beating Everton and then Wolves.

In the last five games between Aston Villa and Stoke, Villa have won one and drawn four, with the last victory coming courtesy of a John Carew header in 2009/10. Villa’s last defeat to Stoke at home was in 1987/88, 0-1.

Villa have kept a clean sheet in only five of their last 20 league fixtures at Villa Park, winning just three. For their part, Stoke have scored the most goals of any EPL side in the opening 15 minutes. Villa have scored once, last week, in that same span.

So…No early goals, lads. For The Potters, anyway.

As we’ve been discussing throughout the week, two very different styles and philosophies will be on display this afternoon.

Do Stoke bully their way to a result and knock something in off a dead ball, or do Villa play around them and negate their size advantage?

It’s a fascinating match-up, the tried-and-true EPL survival formula meeting the let’s-play-football-and-see-what-happens approach. Doesn’t mean the game will be exciting. May well be, but Stoke aren’t known for excitement, and one can’t say that Villa consistently provide it, either.

Me, I just think Villa have to win…Something says they need to after a reasonable run of results netting a win and two draws. Based on Stoke’s recent run, my gut’s saying they’re due for a return to earth.

The big question: Have Villa started finding their feet? Or will inconsistency rear its ugly head and send Villa off asking questions? And will Villa, without Vlaar at the back, be capable of keeping Stoke’s aerial assault in check?

That’s the set-up, in a nutshell. What’s your Villa side, and what’s your prediction? I’m going 2-1, Villa. Just because.

Afterward, I’ll break down the game for all those who couldn’t watch.

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