Weimann nets wonder goal
Austria U21 international Weimann curled a 20-yard shot past Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic to give Villa a first-half lead in only his second senior start.
The Villa academy product’s stunning strike followed on from his injury-time winner as a substitute against Fulham, although it was not enough to earn his side three points yesterday as a trademark Robert Huth header salvaged a draw for Stoke.
McLeish said: “Goals talk and it will be hard for me to leave Weimann out.
“It was a fantastic strike. We needed a bit of inspiration at that time and it was inspirational. It came out of nothing and was a wonderful goal from a great young prospect.”
McLeish felt Huth’s equaliser should not have been allowed or the free-kick leading up to it.
He said: “Jermaine Pennant used his experience to get the free-kick after (Gary) Gardner did not move. Then Robert Huth had two hands on James Collins’ shoulders which meant he could not get off the ground to defend the cross from the free-kick.”
Stoke earned praise from manager Tony Pulis for their fighting spirit to salvage a share of the spoils.
He said: “That’s 51 games we’ve played and the second we’ve had in three days.
“We lack a lot things but you can never criticise us for is a lack of effort.
ASTON VILLA: Given, Hutton, Collins, Baker, Lichaj, Bannan (N’Zogbia 74), Ireland, Herd (Heskey 88), Warnock (Gardner 59), Weimann, Agbonlahor.
STOKE: Begovic, Shotton, Shawcross, Huth, Wilson, Delap (Fuller 81), Palacios, Whitehead, Etherington (Pennant 62), Walters, Jones (Crouch 62).
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral).
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
