Goals from Patrick Berger and Gabriel Agbonlahor sealed a 2-0 win against the Potters at the Britannia Stadium.

Tony Pulis handed Rory Delap his first start at the Britannia Stadium since his horrific injury last October.

Vincent Pericard was favoured up front with Ricardo Fuller, while Clint Hill, Carl Dickinson and Andy Wilkinson all joined Danny Higginbotham in defence.

Dominic Matteo started in the centre with Liam Lawrence and Peter Sweeney on the wings.

The match started and the Potters almost got off to the perfect start, with just 30 seconds gone Liam Lawrence fired a half volley just inches over the bar following a neat run by Ricardo Fuller.

Steve Simonsen had to be alert to thwart Marlon Harewood, while former loanee Patrick Berger fired well over.

Fuller again set off on a run down the right wing before cutting into the 18 yard box however Wilfred Bouma was on hand to clear the danger.

Martin O'Neil's side took the lead in the 16^th minute through former Potter Berger.

The ex Czech Republic winger reacted brilliantly to Bouma's cross field ball before exquisitely curling the ball beyond Simonsen in to the top right hand corner.

Just as the visitors looked to make it two, Wilkinson chased Petrov all the way down the left touchline before sliding in to brilliantly divert his goal ward effort out for a corner.

Tony Pulis' side continued to battle, however long range shots from Pericard and Lawrence failed to trouble Villa keeper Stuart Taylor.

Pericard should have levelled the scoreline on the stroke of half time, but he headed into the ground and over following a pin-point Lawrence cross.

The second half began and it didn't take long until both managers started to ring the changes.

Mamady Sidibe replaced Pericard and almost immediately set free Fuller, but their clever one-two was cleared away from danger.

Fuller again proved a menace to the Villa rearguard, but after weaving his way down the pitch he fired his shot well over, with Sidibe in space.

With twenty minutes remaining a neat through ball from John Eustace, set free Lawrence on the left but he lashed his shot just wide.

Lewis Buxton continued his comeback from a troublesome back injury, and immediately set about entertaining the crowd with a Ronaldinho-esque run down the left flank.

The former Portsmouth defender danced his way past two defenders before playing Lawrence in, however his cross was blocked.

Despite an impressive 25 minute spell, the Potters fell further behind after substitute Gabriel Agbonlahor burst on to a through ball and fired the ball home.

Buxton could have earned the hosts a goal, but he fired well wide following Sidibe's clever knockdown.

Villa youngster Craig Gardner nearly made it three in the final minute, but his shot was well saved by Simonsen.