Sidibe secures first Stoke win

Liam Lawrence's 30th-minute penalty was cancelled out by John Carew's neat finish in the 62nd minute before the Potters took the lead again through Ricardo Fuller from a narrow angle in the 80th minute.

Villa skipper Martin Laursen looked like he had rescued a point for the visitors three minutes later when he swept home from inside the six-yard box but Sidibe's header from Rory Delap throw gave Tony Pulis' side the points.

Stoke, backed by a vociferous home crowd who were taking in their first game in the English top flight for 23 years, had their first real chance five minutes later after Stiliyan Petrov fouled Carl Dickinson on the left edge of the penalty area.

Liam Lawrence whipped the resulting free-kick into the box, but Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel ignored the physical presence of Ricardo Fuller and claimed well.

Lawrence was Stoke's best attacking outlet and he found space down the right flank in the 18th minute before crossing - but Fuller was unable to make contact.

Stoke were then awarded a penalty after Martin Laursen brought down Rory Delap. Lawrence drilled the spot-kick low into the bottom-left corner past Friedel in the 30th minute.

The Potters continued to press and their pressure was rewarded in the 80th minute with a superb finish from Fuller.

But Stoke were again unable to hold on to the lead as Laursen finished from close range three minutes later.

The match looked to be heading for a draw, but a long throw from Delap in injury-time found Sidibe - and he headed home from close range.