I know this is a little late but wanted to jot a few lines down on yesterday. The first half was easily forgettable with little to recall bar a cross cum shot by Cameron and a header which went wide, I think from Walters. Assaidi also had a shot charged down. To be fair Villa looked the more cohesive side and more potent force in the first 45 minutes. Lambert and his players were obviously upset that Wilson did not see red but for me it was a 50 50 ball and neither were facing the goal when the foul was committed. By the reaction of Shawcross, he was trying to ensure that it was a yellow and nothing more. No big deal was made of it on MOTD. Hughes made a great move at half time in substituting Arnie and bringing on Charlie Adam who made a big difference. Within 5 minutes he combined well with Crouchie to slot home a crucial opening goal. Thereafter Erik Pieters comical attempt at heading back to Begovic result in a undeserved equaliser for Villa. I did not like the way the Villa player congratulated a prostrate Pieters. Wilson encouraged Pieters and I thought Stoke reacted really well when pegged back to 1-1. Stoke poured forward and another cross from Cameron deceived Gouzan and their central defender to gift Crouch his chance of glory. Villa had one opportunity saved well by Begovic whilst a corner from Adam found Whelan heading back into the danger area and Crouch hut a post with this back to the goal. All in all a good win. In my view a very valuable win with the 4 games coming up against Newcastle and Spurs away, and Everton and Liverpool at home. The win lifts us to 10th and if we are still there come 31st December I will be an very happy bunny. I am hoping we pick up a couple of points on our travels and hope we can equally get a couple of draws against the Scousers. Anyway I think that is all I want say bar Happy Christmas to all
I would be happy with 4 points from those games, a win in the cup and then we have CP and Sunderland at home which I would be wanting 6 points from them.
