Stoke City 2-1 Aston Villa: Despite all the attention focussed on the appointment of Gerard Houllier, Kevin MacDonald remains in charge of Aston Villa for one last game before the Frenchman officially takes charge
With Tony Pulis on compassionate leave, Dave Kemp takes charge of a Potters side who have lost their opening three games but face a team who lost their last away game 6-0 to Chelsea
Of the three new Stoke signings - including Jermaine Pennant on loan and top-flight veteran Eidur Gudjohnsen - only midfielder Marc Wilson starts, City's one change from the loss to Chelsea
The home side have the better of the opening 20 minutes with Gabriel Agbonlahor up front on his own for Villa while passes from Wilson and Kenwyne Jones both come close to cutting open the away defence
Wilson, Jones and Jonathan Walters all show some flair for Stoke, Jones earning two good saves from Brad Friedel and bringing the best out of his marker Richard Dunne while Marc Albrighton also impresses for Villa
Jones, making his home debut, has a hat-trick of chances as the Potters continue to play the better football, Villa still not looking comfortable at the back but getting in a few long shots of their own
Good football and possession, as so often, count for nothing as Villa drive forward and Agbonlahor's right-wing cross finds Stewart Downing unmarked at the far post to nod the visitors ahead
Moments later Stoke are unlucky not to get a penalty when the ball strikes James Collins' hand, a let-off after which Villa rip City to shreds with Ashley Young missing several great chances
The loudest cheer of the night comes at the start of the second half as Pulis emerges in the technical area and his team respond with 15 minutes of continued pressure through long-throws and set-pieces
Aside from a defensive slip that nearly lets in Nigel Reo-Coker, the second half belongs to Stoke, who bring on Pennant and Ricardo Fuller for Wilson and Walters, changing to an orthodox 4-4-2
Stoke come again, Matthew Etherington's shot is blocked but when the ball breaks again to the left-winger he pulls it back for Jones to equalise and this time the Potters get the reward for their pressure
The goal only encourages City to push on and an injury-time ball in to the visitors' box eventually rattles in off the shin of Robert Huth to give Stoke their first points of the season and lift them out of the bottom three
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