Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has tipped Aston Villa to sneak a win when they visit Stoke City this weekend as he bemoans the Potters’ lack of attacking firepower.
The Villans visit the north west looking to get their campaign back on track after a poor run of form, their last outing seeing them beaten at home by Midlands rivals West Brom.
Stoke meanwhile were held to a 1-1 draw away to Ipswich Town and with Dean Smith’s side sitting seven places and four points ahead of the home side, Merson is expecting their threat up front to seal all three points.
Predicting a 2-1 victory for Smith and his men, he told Sky Sports News (22/02, 11:30): “I went for Villa to win this game, Stoke don’t score enough goals – I know Villa let in a lot of goals but they can score goals.
“I think if they can open this game up in a bit of a gung-ho game I think they’re the team that will score more goals.”
Opinion
What happens when a leaky back line come up against an attack which is struggling to find the back of the net? Find out at Stoke on Saturday. Villa have been potent up front, mainly thanks to the efforts of Tammy Abraham, and as Merson says that should be enough to seal victory. If Smith can make sure his team stay resolute at the back then Stoke are going to struggle to create too many chances and one goal could be enough to secure the all important three points. Of course, nothing is ever simple in football and the Villa boss has to make sure his side do not commit many – if any – errors which could contribute to their own downfall. Villa are right to consider themselves favourites for this one but they must remember that Stoke were a Premier League side this time 12 months ago and any underestimating them will see the visitors punished accordingly.