Stoke is playing better than WBA right now, but I think the team with more quality is WBA, and that will prevail in the end. The only other team that Stoke has a chance to finish ahead of, in my opinion, is Hull City. If Hull continues to play like they did this weekend, Stoke could jump up into 19th.

I’m impressed with Stoke’s fight and passion so far, don’t get me wrong, but we saw the same thing from Derby last season in the first month or so. Eventually the adrenaline fades and a team’s true colors come through.

Sidibe Seals Stoke Win
Saturday 23 Aug 2008

A last-minute header by substitute Mamady Sidibe gave Stoke a thrilling first win in the Premier League after Aston Villa had twice come from behind at a packed Britannia Stadium.

Sidibe climbed highest to meet one of Rory Delap’s trademark long throws and convert a neat back-header beyond Brad Friedel and into the far corner of the net.

Villa barely had time to kick off before referee Mark Halsey blew the final whistle to end an absolute cracker.

The Stoke fans were making a crescendo of noise in the opening stages and their fired-up players responded to provide a real test of Villa’s resolve.

Martin O’Neill’s side began to look up to that test as the half progressed, with Gareth Barry and Stiliyan Petrov getting to grips in midfield as City’s energy levels appeared to dip.

But that all changed on the half hour when Stoke were awarded a penalty after a mighty scramble ended with Martin Laursen’s rash challenge on Delap.

Laursen’s pleas of innocence were to no avail and Liam Lawrence sent the Stoke supporters into delirium with a low shot inside Friedel’s right-hand post.

Ricardo Fuller missed the chance to add a 38th minute second when he snatched his shot high and wide after a rush of blood by Friedel opened the door.

Villa finally landed a decent attempt at the Stoke goal with John Carew spinning to curl a shot narrowly wide of former Villa keeper Thomas Sorensen’s left-hand post.

But Stoke ended the first half in the ascendancy as Fuller headed another long throw from Delap narrowly off-target.

The start of the second half was far more open than the first, with Stoke dispelling the myth they are a one-dimensional team.

They were passing the ball better than Villa until a flash of brilliance from Ashley Young created a 63rd minute equaliser for Carew.

Young caught out what had looked a solid home defence with back-heel into the path of Carew, who took the ball in his stride before burying a low shot from 14 yards.

The goal lifted Villa and temporarily knocked the wind from Stoke’s sails and Barry was close to finishing from close range after more good work by Young.

But Barry was the villain in the 81st minute with a misplaced pass which led to Stoke retaking the lead.

Lawrence thread a super ball into the path of Fuller, who flicked the ball delightfully past Laursen before driving an unstoppable, angled shot past Friedel.

Villa had the mettle to come back a second time with Laursen firing in from close range following a melee caused by Young’s free-kick.

But Sidibe was to have the final say.