Stoke

The Potters have defied the odds since their promotion from the Championship in 2008 although their robust approach to the game has often drawn criticism while the long throws of Rory Delap have also played their part in claims of a direct approach.

Pulis could not care less, however, although he is looking to take some of the pressure off his defence by adding more goals to the mix following the summer arrivals of Eidur Gudjohnsen, Jermaine Pennant and Kenwyne Jones, among others.

Gudjohnsen and Pennant could be handed Stoke debuts on Monday night when Aston Villa make the trip to the Britannia Stadium, with the Villans still led by caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald given the delay in new manager Gerard Houllier formally taking charge (Stoke 6/4, draw 9/4, Villa 9/5 – 90 minutes).

“We are looking forward to the game,” said Pulis. “Bringing the new players in has given the place a lift, it has given it the bubble it needs, and what we need now is a good performance and a good result.

“We have more options up front and to score goals, which has always been a major worry for us, but we have to make sure we stay nice and tight as a group.

“Over the two seasons of the Premier League we have had 26 clean sheets and we have to work hard to make sure we maintain that but we now have more quality and cutting edge up front.”

On his marquee signings, Pulis added: “With Pennant and Gudjohnsen we are hoping they will give us that.

“(Marc) Wilson can also score goals from midfield so we are hoping they will be able to add a bit more to us when we have the ball.

“But we won’t play any differently, we will play to win.

“Sometimes the reputation we have for a certain style is unfair but I’m not bringing the players in to change the style or reputation or curry favour with people outside who say we do this or that.

“I will always do it the way I think is right and how it suits this club.”

Villa also have big ambition for the future when Houllier does finally arrive after freeing himself from his commitments as technical director of the French Football Federation.

The former Liverpool boss wants to win trophies, break into the top four and also help his players improve their game.

The 63-year-old said: “I’m hoping to be here for the Bolton game (on September 18) or right after the Bolton game.

“I’ll attend the Bolton game and maybe we will start from after there.”

Villa can be backed at 9/1 to finish in the top four this season while they are 16/1 shots for FA Cup glory.

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Tony Pulis

The manager has seen his side lose their first three games in the Premier League, the latest of them coming in a 2-0 defeat to defending champions Chelsea.

Stoke (40/1 to finish in the top six) were resolute and dogged throughout that game, but Pulis knows he needs to improve his squad if the club are to climb the Premier League table this season.

Pulis spent big money bringing Kenwyne Jones to the club before the start of the campaign and he has been linked with a host of transfer targets throughout the summer.

He is being linked with the likes of Jermaine Jenas, Hugo Rodallega and Eidur Gudjohnsen in the national press and the manager has admitted there are likely to be a few last-minute deals going through before the transfer window closes at 6pm on Tuesday.

“We’re hoping to get four or five players in by Tuesday and there will be players leaving as well,” said Pulis.

“It may go to the wire but we are prepared to wait and ensure we get the right deals.

“We want to bring in some younger players, some players who will improve the group. That is important.”

The manager will be hoping that he can have some new faces at his disposal when Stoke take on Aston Villa in their next Premier League game on September 13th.

One of the faces who could be on his way out of the Britannia Stadium is Bosnian goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

The player was only signed from Portsmouth in January but has now caused controversy after he refused to play for Stoke in the Carling Cup (Stoke 40/1 to win Carling Cup) win over Shrewsbury.

Stoke chairman Peter Coates has admitted that Premier League champions Chelsea (6/5 to win the title this season) made a £4.5 million offer for Begovic that was rejected by the club.

He added that he is “not expecting” the west London side to come back with a bigger offer, but it could tempt Stoke to cash in on the 23-year-old if that did happen.

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The Blues must beat the Potters if they are to reclaim top spot in the Premier League after Manchester United overhauled them at the top of the tree by beating Tottenham 3-1 on Saturday.

Victory for United opened up a two point between themselves and Chelsea heading into the Bluies final three matches of the season.

The lead at the top of the Premier League has now changed hands on twenty separate occasions and Chelsea will be hopeful of making it twenty one by beating Stoke.

The Potters head to west London with very little to play for having secured their status as a top flight club for another season some time ago.

Pulis has called on his side to have a strong end to the season in order to finish in the top ten and with four games left Stoke are just a point away from climbing back into the top half of the table.

However, they will be massive underdogs to get anything out of Sunday’s match, with totesport.com pricing them at 18/1 in the 90 minutes betting section to come away with a win from Stamford Bridge.

Stoke also come into the game having already lost at Chelsea in the FA Cup this season and with just two wins in the last eight league outings.

Despite the opposition and their recent run of form Pulis remains confident his side can do Manchester United a huge favour and beat the Blues.

“We have got very close to taking something from Chelsea in the past couple of seasons, but still not managed to beat them. But we have a game plan, we always do against one of the big clubs, and we always believe we can achieve something in these sort of games,” said Pulis.

Stoke could have a big say in the title outcome with Pulis’ men heading to Old Trafford on the last day of the season to face United.

Chelsea (1/8 to win the FA Cup) will be hoping the title race doesn’t go that far and will be desperate to take all three points to put the pressure back on Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

However, the Blues have injury and suspension concerns with John Terry out following his red card last week, while Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel will miss the rest of the season through injury.

Jose Bosingwa and Ricardo Carvalho are also sidelined, although manager Carlo Ancelotti is able to welcome back Ashley Cole and Branislav Ivanovic to his squad.

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