GUZAN 8
Bravely came off his line all night. Thwarted Jones before the break.
* CUELLAR 8 *
Added his aerial presence at the back. Kept a close eye on Etherington.
COLLINS 8
Battled on strongly despite Achilles problem.
DUNNE 8
Led by example against the dual threat of Walters and Jones.
WARNOCK 8
Combative and committed. Got the better of his battle against Shotton.
ALBRIGHTON 7
Bright, energetic and hardworking but his deliveries lacked accuracy.
CLARK 7
Got stuck in but distribution was hit-and-miss.
PETROV 7
Tried to get forward but chose to shoot rather than pass on occasions.
N’ZOGBIA 7
Provided a regular threat down left.
HESKEY 6
Headed against the post. Limped out at half-time with Injury
AGBONLAHOR 7
Worked hard, ran at the Stoke defence, crucial goalline clearance.
SUBSTITUTES
Delfouneso (for Heskey, 46): Early chance saved, drifted in and out 6
Not used: Marshall, Ireland, Bannan, Weimann, Johnson, Gardner.
STOKE (4-4-2): Sorensen, Woodgate (Pennant 71), Shawcross, Huth, Wilson; Shotton, Whitehead, Palacios (Delap 67), Etherington; Walters, Jones. Not used: Begovic, Diao, Upson, Wilkinson, Jerome.
BOOKINGS: Huth (foul, 24), Whitehead (foul, 56), Delap (foul, 79) – Stoke.
GAME RATING 6
Not one for the purists but both sides were committed.
CROWD WATCH 7
Both sets of fans were their usual enthusiastic self.
Attendance: 27,739.
REF WATCH 7
M Clattenburg (County Durham): Got the crucial decisions right.
THE MANAGER 7
Alex McLeish demanded a solid performance and got one.
INJURY WATCH
Heskey (Achilles), Given (hamstring), Jenas (Achilles), Collins (Achilles), Lichaj (hip), Bent (thigh), Herd (ankle).
WHO’S NEXT UP FOR VILLA?
Chelsea (a) Saturday, 3pm.
