Most ties this week look fairly underwhelming on paper next to the classic Manchester United
v. Liverpool match. But don't let that fool you into thinking that the Stoke City v. West Ham
United match is going to be a massive sleeper. Other matches could very well end in tear-jerking
boredom, while sum could very well experience an unforeseen upset presented to the football
world.
Arsenal needed until extra-time to dispose of Tottenham 4-1, while Owen Coyle's Bolton suffered a
shock defeat to Burnley in Carling Cup action on Tuesday night. League One hosts Brentford also
caused a major upset as they held struggling Everton to a 1-1 stalemate in regular time before
dumping the Toffees out 4-3 on penalties.
People are fond of claiming that Stoke is a tough place to go, but the truth is that they lost
six games at the Britannia last season and their overall home record ranked 13th in the league.
Villa were 12th if you're interested.
We haven't beaten Stoke at the Britannia yet, the last league win on their own turf being a 3-1
win at the old Victoria Ground in 1984.
People are fond of claiming that Stoke is a tough place to go, but the truth is that they lost
six games at the Britannia last season and their overall home record ranked 13th in the league.
Villa were 12th if you're interested.
We haven't beaten Stoke at the Britannia yet, the last league win on their own turf being a 3-1
win at the old Victoria Ground in 1984.
Had it not been for the arrival of their boss at halftime, Stoke probably would have fallen
victim to an under-performing Aston Villa side. Tony Pulis flew back to Wales early Monday morning
after his mother passed away.
Heading into halftime, Stoke found themselves down 1-0 after Villa's Stewart Downing used his
head to put the Villans up.
