Stats: Tale Of Two Penalties As Villa Battle To A Point

Aston Villa were looking to continue their march towards the top of the Championship table under head coach Dean Smith as we hosted Stoke City at Villa Park.

A cold, wet and somewhat windy Saturday pitted us against Gary Rowett’s largely struggling side, although they have pulled themselves together a touch more in recent times, however, confidence of a positive result was high owing to our own six-game unbeaten run.

With the injuries we have, and Jack Grealish, in particular, being out of action, the team was as many expected.

We certainly didn’t have it all our own way though and we weren’t quite as free flowing in attack as the visitors created more. Stoke took the lead twice in the second half but on each occasion, we fought back through Tammy Abraham and a Jonathan Kodjia penalty.

In many ways, it was a tale of two penalties but whilst fans would’ve wanted far more from the game, I guess we have to take the positives of the spirit in the camp once more to come from behind twice to take a point.

The unbeaten run continues and Smith will be demanding further improvement.