Stoke City 2 - 1 Aston Villa

Defender Robert Huth snatched an injury-time winner as Stoke came from behind to beat Aston Villa at the Britannia Stadium and get their season off and running.

PA PHOTOS

 
Club-record signing Kenwyne Jones had earlier marked his home debut with an equaliser to Stewart Downing's 35th-minute header on an emotional night for the Potters.
Manager Tony Pulis missed the first half after the death of his mother earlier in the day but he returned at the interval to inspire the revival.
 
New Villa boss Gerard Houllier, meanwhile, was absent due to his commitments with the French Football Federation. He hopes to be in the dug-out for Saturday's game against Bolton, but caretaker Kevin McDonald has done an admirable job in trying circumstances since Martin O'Neill walked out on the eve of the season.
 
Monday night Premier League football has not been kind to Stoke in the past, having failed to score on both previous occasions when they played.

However, the opposite had been true for Villa heading into this match, and they had lost only one of their last 13 top-flight matches at the start of the week.

Scoring Summary
Stoke City:
Kenwyne Jones 80'
Robert Huth 90'
Aston Villa:
Stewart Downing 35'