Both managers absent for Stoke and Villa

Stoke v Aston Villa

Stoke and Aston Villa met each other at the Britannia Stadium in the unenviable of positions of being without their respective managers.

The hosts were denied the presence of Tony Pulis, who was absent after the death of his mother earlier today, while new Villa boss Gerard Houllier was back in his homeland due to commitments with the French Football Federation.

On the pitch the Potters made just one change from the side beaten at Chelsea prior to the international, with Marc Wilson making his debut at the expense of Andy Wilkinson after his deadline-day move from Portsmouth.

Jermaine Pennant and Eidur Gudjohnsen, who also arrived on the final day of the transfer window, were named on the bench.

Villa also made one change from the side which beat Everton on August 29, giving Gabriel Agbonlahor his first Barclays Premier League start of the season in place of the injured John Carew.