Premier League: Aston Villa 1 Stoke 1

Aston Villa’s winless run extended to a fourth match on Monday when they were held 1-1 at home to Stoke City in the English Premier League.

Andreas Weimann opened the scoring for the home side 32 minutes into the match at Villa Park with a fine effort from the edge of the area.

Stoke earned a draw in the second half when Jermaine Pennant’s free-kick was nodded home by Robert Huth.

The visitors almost gave away a chance straight from kick-off as they gifted possession to Stephen Ireland, but the midfielder was unable to find Weimann.

Just past the half-hour mark, Villa took the lead through a stunning effort from Weimann.

The 20-year-old Austrian found himself in possession 25 yards from goal, and after a quick one-two with Ireland, he whipped a fabulous effort over Asmir Begovic and into the far corner.

James Collins almost had an opportunity to double the lead from a corner, but he was closed down quickly and rushed his shot, which flew over the bar.

Stoke went close shortly afterwards, as Shay Given dropped a high ball under a challenge from Jones, only for Chris Herd to clear.

And a desperate block from Stephen Warnock stopped Wilson Palacios from equalising, as the defender threw himself in front of a shot that was bound for goal.

Jonathan Walters also went close in first-half injury time, heading Matthew Etherington’s cross onto the roof of the net.

The visitors came out after the break with more intensity, forcing Villa onto the back foot with a barrage of set-pieces.

Despite Stoke’s efforts, the first real chance of the second half fell to Villa’s Gabby Agbonlahor, who snatched his shot and dragged it across the face of goal.

Stoke manager Pulis rang the changes 15 minutes into the second period, bringing on Peter Crouch and Jermaine Pennant for Jones and Etherington.

It took a further 10 minutes before Stoke could really trouble the hosts, but when they did it earned them an equaliser.

Pennant delivered a wonderful free-kick into the six-yard box which was dispatched by Huth.

There were plenty of complaints from the home side, as the German centre-back appeared to be using James Collins as a platform to aid his leap.

Collins’ remonstrations earned him a yellow card, and he was incensed a minute later when he was denied a penalty at the other end.

Ryan Shawcross seemed to have a hold of Collins’ shirt, denying him from reaching Barry Bannan’s free-kick.

With 10 minutes remaining, Pulis made his last throw of the dice, bringing Ricardo Fuller off the bench in place of Delap.

With five minutes there was a massive clash of heads between Huth and Herd, with the Aston Villa man stretchered off.

Weimann had a shot deflected that forced Begovic into an awkward save as the ball threatened to loop into the net.

Stoke had the ball in the net in the 90th minute as Shawcross volleyed in a knock-down by Huth, but the whistle had already blown for a foul by the German defender on Collins.

Weimann was sent through on goal during five minutes of time added on, but proved unable to snatch what would have been a dramatic late winner.

The draw leaves Villa 15th, seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Stoke are seven points better off than Villa in 12th place.