Stoke beats Aston Villa 2-1

The arrival of manager Tony Pulis at half-time inspired a Stoke City fightback as they came from behind to beat Aston Villa 2-1 on Monday.

Pulis had returned to his family home in Newport earlier in the day following the death of his mother, and missed the first-half. He was back by the end of half-time and was greeted with warm applause from the Stoke fans, and by a much-improved performance from his side.

Aston Villa, who were also without a manager as Gerard Houllier serves his notice with the French Football federation, took a 35th minute lead through Stewart Downing.

But Kenwyne Jones levelled with his first goal since his club record transfer from Sunderland, and then, deep into injury-time, Robert Huth scored to give Stoke their first win of the season.

Stoke had begun the better, Matthew Etherington and then Rory Delap crossing to create headed opportunities for Jones.

The Trinidad and Tobago international then latched onto a superb through-pass from Marc Wilson, but jabbed his shot tamely into the body of Brad Friedel.

It was Villa, though, who took the lead after 34 minutes. Ashley Young held the ball up well and laid the ball left for Gabriel Agbonlahor.

He crossed to the back post where Downing had pulled away from Robert Huth, and shaped a stooping header back across goal and in at the far post.

Almost immediately Stoke felt they should have had a penalty as Jones’s header struck James Collins’s arm. It was from close range, but the arm was ranged and outstretched.

The Agbonlahor-Young partnership, though, was a constant threat and Young planted a free header just wide from a magnificent Agbonlahor cross from the left.

As Villa dominated the end of the first half, Thomas Sorensen made fine saves from Collins and Downing.

Perhaps inspired by the arrival of their manager, Stoke began the second half much the stronger, and forced a series of corners, long throws and free kicks around the box.

The ball, though, would not fall for them, and once the storm had passed, Villa seemed relatively comfortable.

But 12 minutes from full-time, Ricardo Fuller released Etherington with a smart reverse ball and Jones headed in his first for the club.

Then, four minutes into injury-time, a penalty box scramble broke to Etherington, whose mishit shot was sidefooted in by Huth.