Premier League: Aston Villa v Stoke match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at Villa Park

Christian Benteke celebrates a late winner against Reading (GETTY IMAGES)

Aston Villa go into this game just two points ahead of the relegation zone as they prepare to face an in-form Stoke City side on Saturday afternoon.

The Potters are unbeaten in their last five games, and currently sit in 9th place just four points off third placed Chelsea.

Villa will look to make it back-to-back home wins after edging past Reading just over a week ago, as they look to continue their three match unbeaten streak in the league.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Aston Villa 1 (Weimann) Stoke City 1 (Huth), Premier League, April 2012

Stoke City 0 Aston Villa 0, Premier League, December 2011

Aston Villa 1 (Bent) Stoke City 1 (Jones), Premier League, April 2011

STATS…

Villa have scored just 12 goals in the league this season - the only team to score less are bottom club QPR, who have scored 11.

Five out of the last seven games between these two sides has ended in a stalemate.

Stoke have won just once on their travels this term.

Stoke have not won at Villa Park in 24 years.

Belgium international Christian Benteke has been pivotal for his side this season, scoring a quarter of Villa's goals, and has had a fifth of their entire shots on target so far this campaign.

Jonathan Walters has scored three goals from just nine attempts this season.

ODDS…

Aston Villa to win: 2.54

Stoke to win: 3.15

Draw: 3.35

TV: Highlights on BBC 1, 10.30pm