Hughes insists match-winner Crouch is staying put
PETER CROUCH missed his wife Abbey Clancy’s appearance in TV’s Strictly Come Dancing final because of his ‘day job’ and stole some of her thunder by scoring a much-needed winner for Stoke.
‘He is happy and we are happy,’ said delighted Stoke manager Mark Hughes.
Crouch pounced to score his fifth league goal of the season in the 70th minute against his former club.
He made the most of Geoff Cameron’s deep cross after Villa, who were without their out-of-form striker Christian Benteke, had levelled through Libor Kozak after Charlie Adams’ opening goal.
Former England striker Crouch is in his third season with Stoke and says he is enjoying playing for Hughes, who is encouraging a more flamboyant style.
Like Villa, who have now lost three consecutive league games, Stoke are finding goals hard to come by and Hughes admits he hopes to find more attacking options when the transfer window opens next month.
But the Stoke manager dismissed talk that Crouch, who has been linked with a January switch to QPR or Crystal Palace, could leave the club. Hughes said: ‘He is an accomplished player, and has been for a long time.
‘I know how difficult it is because I played in that role myself. Peter played very well today and scored an excellent goal.’
Villa looked far superior in the first half and more than capable of ending their lean spell. ‘I couldn’t see us losing,’ said manager Paul Lambert. ‘We looked like our old selves and I thought Kozak was excellent.’
The half-time introduction of, in place of Marko Arnautovic, produced the reaction Hughes wanted.
The former Blackpool and Liverpool midfielder broke the deadlock in the 50th minute when Crouch headed a free-kick into his path.
Villa equalised when Stoke defender Erik Pieters misplaced a diving header and Kozak took advantage.
Four minutes later Crouch won it before hitting a post.