Christopher Samba was sent off for a blatant tug on Ricardo Fuller before Etherington exchanged passes with Liam Lawrence and curled in the third.

BBC: Stoke 3-0 Blackburn

From the set-piece, Liam Lawrence delivered a superb ball which was glanced in at the near post by Kilbane for his eighth international goal.

BBC: Republic of Ireland 3-1 Andorra

Villa were given further warning of the threat Stoke posed when Shawcross outjumped Davies and Knight to nod Liam Lawrence's corner over the bar.

BBC: Aston Villa 2-2 Stoke