German defender Robert Huth scored after the break to rescue a point for Stoke City in their trip to Aston Villa this evening.
In an opening 45 minutes of very few chances, Villa defender James Collins went close with a headed effort that Asmir Begovic parried to safety.
Villa were the more dominant side and went on to break the deadlock in the 32nd minute when young Austrian Andreas Weimann curled the ball beyond the reach of Begovic from the edge of the area.
The home side continued to dominate after the restart, but it was Stoke who claimed the game's second goal in the 72nd minute.
Jermaine Pennant crossed for Huth, who rose above Collins to head past Shay Given.
The visitors thought they had won the encounter in the last minute when Ryan Shawcross converted a knockdown from Peter Crouch. However, the goal was ruled out as the ball was adjudged to have left the field of play earlier in the move.
Villa are now seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Liam Apicella
