ASTON VILLA'S Norwegian international John Carew believes the Britannia Stadium is up there with the top four clubs as one of the most difficult away venues in the Premier League.

Martin O'Neill's side have already picked up impressive away wins at both Old Trafford and Anfield, but the forward is wary of the threat posed by the Potters.

"It will be a very tough game," he told their official website. "It's one of the most difficult games in the Premier League. We really have to be up for it but I am sure we can get something out of the game."

The Norwegian International scored the winner when the two sides met back in December and expressed his delight at earning his side the three points at Villa Park, but knows that it will be tough to earn another victory over the Potters on their home turf.

"It was especially great to score the winner- the deciding goal of the game. It was a great feeling for me," he beamed. "It was a good goal and a good result overall. It was a tough game because Stoke are very difficult opponents."

The 30-year-old front-man staked a claim for a start on Saturday by scoring a superb hat-trick in Villa's 4-2 FA Cup win over Reading and he believes that City carry a similar type of threat to the Royals.

"It's a game that will be similar to the game against Reading. Stoke are obviously a division higher than Reading but they are a physical side and it will be a physical game on a tiny pitch. But we have players who can deal with that and hopefully that is the case on Saturday."