Filed under: Aston Villa, Stoke City, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: VILLA PARK, SATURDAY APRIL 23RD 2011. KICK-OFF: 1500 BSTGerard Houllier's health scare is another reminder of the pressurised environment of football management and has dominated the build-up of a game between two clubs still not safe from the drop.
Houllier is not expected to be back on the touchline again this season after being rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham on Wednesday complaining of chest pains.
His condition will be monitored over the Easter period so the onus will be on Gary McAllister, his assistant, to take Villa over the finishing line.
The victory over West Ham last weekend virtually guaranteed Premier League survival but Houllier predicted more twists and turns before his illness and Villa need at least one more win.
Stoke will head the game having booked a place in the FA Cup Final for the first time in their long but far from illustrious history and desperate for points themselves.
Despite their stunning demolition of Bolton at Wembley, the Potters are only five points adrift of the bottom three and Tony Pulis is determined to ensure his record of never being relegated as a manager stays intact.
Key Match-Up: Richard Dunne v Kenwyne Jones. Dunne has been restored to the team after patching up his differences with Houllier and McAllister and will face a severe test here. Jones has been revitalised since a recent chat with Pulis and is back to the form that made him so coveted at Sunderland, scoring in his last two games.
Form Guide: Villa are now seven points above the relegation zone and are unbeaten in three matches. Stoke can leapfrog Villa with a victory, which will be their first at Villa Park since promotion to the Premier League, but have lost their last seven Premier League away games.
Odds: Villa 4/5, Stoke 7/2, Draw 13/5
VILLA
Stewart Downing has insisted that a much-needed home victory will be the perfect tonic for Houllier as he recuperates in hospital.
Villa and England winger Downing was stunned to hear about his manager's health scare on Thursday when he turned up for training at their Bodymoor Heath complex.
And while he has admitted his concern at the 63-year-old's well being, he wants Villa to aid his rehabilitation by inching the club further to Premier League safety.
He said: "Obviously, everyone at the club is concerned for the manager. It's never nice, an experience like this, especially for his family.
"But the news is that he's going to be all right and that's pleasing and reassuring.
"A good win against Stoke on Saturday will help him no doubt. In fact, the last couple of weeks have been good and I'm sure the gaffer will want us to continue in this vein.
"That's what Gary McAllister told us on Friday morning, that the gaffer wants us to carry on playing like we're playing and to win as many points as we can between now and the end of the season.
"Hopefully, a good result on Saturday will be the perfect boost for him."
Strategy: Darren Bent was once coveted by Stoke and will head into this game in red-hot form. Bent has already scored six goals since his club record move from Sunderland - and how they miss him - and netted in last weekend's win at West Ham.
The option of Gabby Agbonlahor on the bench is also there for McAllister, especially after his pivotal cameo role at Upton Park. But it will be Villa's ability to defend from set plays that will be the key here, with an aerial bombardment expected from their opponents.
Injury Update: Villa have no new injury problems.
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