Stoke manager Tony Pulis will be hoping that his side’s first home game in the Premiership will be more fruitful than last week’s 1-3 loss at Bolton, but against a Villa side high in confidence after their 4-2 thumping of Man City last week, he will have a hard task in gaining a good result on Saturday.

Yet, Stoke’s performances at home in the Championship last season were impressive; from October, Stoke’s home record was 11-6-1 (their only loss being against eventual winners West Brom 1-3).

Villa, though should prove to be one of the best sides in the Premiership this season; Martin O‘Neill has spent well over the summer and Villa, who finished 6th last season, should continue to progress under his management.

In their opening win over Man City, Villa carried on last season’s superb scoring form (they were 3rd highest scores last term) and young striker Agbonlahor’s 8 minute hat-trick will send him into this game on a high.

Match Betting Previews 23-25 August 2008 >>> Premiership: Blackburn v Hull - Liverpool v Middlesbrough - Newcastle v Bolton - Stoke v Aston Villa - Spurs v Sunderland - WBA v Everton - Fulham v Arsenal - Wigan v Chelsea - Man City v West Ham - Portsmouth v Man Utd Bundesliga: Dortmund v Bayern - Werder v Schalke - Stuttgart v Leverkusen Ligue 1: Le Havre v Marseille - Lyon v Grenoble - Bordeaux v Nantes Champions League: Arsenal v Twente - Liverpool v Standard - Atletico v Schalke

Fulham were over-awed in their loss at Hull and the atmosphere at Stoke will be similarly passionate after such a wait for top-flight football, but Villa are a lot better placed to cope with it; Villa had a record of 5-4-1 away to sides in the bottom half last season and won against all three relegated sides.

With Stoke surely primed for a season in the lower depths of the Premier League, they will find it hard to gain anything out of this game, especially with Villa in good form and high in confidence.

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Bet: Aston Villa to win Odds: $1.80 Stake: 7pts Bookies: Ladbrokes

Match Betting Previews 23-25 August 2008 >>> Premiership: Blackburn v Hull - Liverpool v Middlesbrough - Newcastle v Bolton - Stoke v Aston Villa - Spurs v Sunderland - WBA v Everton - Fulham v Arsenal - Wigan v Chelsea - Man City v West Ham - Portsmouth v Man Utd Bundesliga: Dortmund v Bayern - Werder v Schalke - Stuttgart v Leverkusen Ligue 1: Le Havre v Marseille - Lyon v Grenoble - Bordeaux v Nantes Champions League: Arsenal v Twente - Liverpool v Standard - Atletico v Schalke