Aston Villa meet Stoke at Villa Park knowing that three points could potentially take them nine points clear of the Premier League drop zone.
Weimann in contention for Villa; Crouch aims to impress for Stoke
Aston Villa meet Stoke at Villa Park on Monday knowing that three points could potentially take them nine points clear of the Premier League drop zone.
The Potters, meanwhile, go into the clash sitting comfortably in mid-table and recorded their first win in four games at home to Wolves in the Staffordshire derby to stop the recent rot.
Villa have struggled badly for consistency this season, and have managed just one win from their previous nine matches.
They are currently 15th in the standings, six points clear of the bottom three, and by no means safe with seven games still to come.
However, manager Alex McLeish believes there is a bright future at the club following the 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield, in which Chris Herd's 10th-minute goal was cancelled out by a late Luis Suarez goal.
The Scot used six players aged 23 or under against the Reds and their exuberance certainly helped the West Midlands outfit secure their first point in three games.
"They really have high opinions of themselves without being too cocky," admitted McLeish.
McLeish feels the performance against Liverpool will carry them through a second match in three days when City make the short trip.
"Every one of them is ready to go again. They took great confidence from the display," he added.
Villa will have to be wary of former striker Peter Crouch, who headed home the winner in the Potters' 2-1 home victory over Wolves on Saturday to take his goal tally for the campaign to 13 in all competitions.
The 31-year-old forward is aiming to further his claim for a place in England's Euro 2012 squad and has certainly made quite an impression in the last couple of weeks.
Stoke, who moved up to 11th in the table with their come-from-behind triumph, will play their 51st match of a gruelling season on Monday.
And Tony Pulis' side seem determined to end the campaign on a high by achieving a top-10 finish, something they are yet to do in the Premier League.
Team news
Forward Andreas Weimann is in contention for a recall to McLeish's side.
The Austrian came off the bench against Liverpool having not trained all week because of an ankle injury.
Midfielder Gary Gardner was also a used substitute despite struggling with a virus.
Meanwhile, Pulis is set to freshen up his Stoke side for the contest.
The City boss has indicated he will utilise some players who did not feature against Wanderers.
Among them could be defender Andy Wilkinson, who had been nursing a groin complaint in the build-up to Saturday's game and was not a part of the matchday squad.
Possible starting XIs:
Aston Villa: Given, Hutton, Baker, Collins, Warnock, Albrighton, Herd, Gardner, Ireland, Agbonlahor, Weimann.
Stoke: Begovic, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Huth, Wilson, Pennant, Whitehead, Whelan, Jerome, Crouch, Walters.
