As Weaver's comntary concluded, Theodore decisively delivered a long cross.
Inside Stoke City's penalty area, Aston Villa's attacking players were perfectly positioned.
McGinn at the near post, Abraham in the center and Grealish at the far post ford a lethal three-pronged attacking threat.
"ANOTHER BRILIANT VOLLEY FROM GREALISH." Weaver shouted. "Jack Grealish scores his third goal of the match. A hat-trick for him."
"anwhile, Theodore Bjorn has achieved a brace of assists and now the goal difference has returned to two."
Don Goodman continued, "If I recall correctly, this should be Grealish's first hat-trick this season. Aston Villa's attacking firepower is truly formidable. Of course, Stoke City's defense has completely collapsed during this period. Stoke City's defenders focused all their attention on Abraham and McGinn, while Grealish lurking at the far post only had one fullback marking him... This is unacceptable defending."
With halfti rapidly approaching, trailing 2-4, Stoke City had no way back.
They could only go all out.
In the Britannia Stadium stands, tens of thousands of Stoke City fans were hysterically shouting attacking chants.
So die-hard fans had even gone completely hoarse.
If Stoke City could score one more goal in these final minutes to narrow the score to 3-4, there might still be hope for victory.
Nathan Jones clearly understood this too.
He instructed both fullbacks Tom Edwards and Clucas to push forward, utilizing their crossing ability to pressure the opponent's defense.
44th minute.
Finally, Stoke City created a crossing opportunity. Charlie Adam held off two defenders in midfield.
Despite Jedinak and Hourihane's double team, he still managed to deliver a precise pass to Clucas.
Near the touchline, Clucas imdiately sent in a cross after receiving the ball.
Inside Aston Villa's penalty area, Stoke City's star striker Vokes and Tom Ince were both in position, ready to attack the ball in front of goal.
Everything was set, waiting only for Clucas's cross.
But at that exact mont, Theodore Bjorn made a crucial interception.
Just as Clucas delivered the cross, Theodore's left foot perfectly blocked the passing trajectory and the cross was deflected out for a corner kick.
Stoke City missed their crossing opportunity.
In the remaining ti, the ho team failed to create any particularly good scoring chances.
The first half concluded.
Aston Villa led Stoke City 4-2 heading into halfti.
During the break, Stoke City manager Nathan Jones was absolutely furious.
He berated almost every single Stoke City player in the dressing room.
anwhile in the Britannia Stadium stands, small groups of frustrated fans had already started leaving.
Stoke City had suffered a massive double blow!
Fifteen minutes later, the second half comnced.
Under Nathan Jones's strict and furious instructions, Stoke City players desperately pushed forward.
Their entire defensive line advanced to the halfway line.
anwhile, Aston Villa, already enjoying a comfortable two-goal advantage, remained remarkably composed.
They avoided direct confrontation with their opponents, choosing instead to weather the storm.
All 11 players, including Abraham, retreated to their own half to defend.
Against Aston Villa's defensive bunker, the opponent had no chance at all.
Although Stoke City has always been called the "Sky City" by fans, and striker Vokes does possess a certain ability to win aerial duels, when Vokes was constantly surrounded by two or three Aston Villa defenders, he simply couldn't unleash the power of his headers.
After Stoke City's players had launched a fierce attack for ten minutes, they still saw zero results.
Especially since Stoke City now had only one attacking thod left: crossing from the flanks.
As long as they could contain the center forward Vokes, they could essentially stifle Stoke City's entire offense.
Gradually, Stoke City's morale began to wither. Even the center forward Vokes had run out of steam.
Constantly battling multiple Aston Villa defenders inside the penalty area had left Vokes ntally and physically exhausted.
On the other hand, Aston Villa players had actually been looking for counterattack opportunities all along.
Every Aston Villa player knew very well that scoring one more goal would completely shatter the opponent's confidence for good.
Finally, in the 68th minute of the match, Aston Villa saw their chance.
Aston Villa's midfield defensive stalwart, Jedinak, made a crucial contribution.
This was still a Stoke City attacking opportunity.
Full-back Tom Edwards, after receiving the ball, imdiately swung in a cross. The result was disappointing for the ho side.
The tall center forward Vokes still failed to win the first ball, instead, Aston Villa's center-back Mings completed the headed clearance.
The ball flew toward the edge of the penalty area. At that mont, Joe Allen alertly appeared in that zone, ready to unleash a long-range shot.
But Jedinak reacted quickly.
He threw his entire body into the block. Joe Allen's powerful shot struck Jedinak right in the face, nearly knocking him unconscious.
But regardless of the pain, Jedinak still completed the block and imdiately poked the loose ball to McGinn in the center.
Then ca the counterattack that Aston Villa excelled at.
After receiving the ball, McGinn imdiately chose to drive forward through the middle.
To so extent, McGinn's playing style was quite similar to Theodore Bjorn's.
Both players possessed excellent physicality and strength, along with high football intelligence and vision.
Of course, McGinn's passing was naturally not as precise as Theodore's and Theodore's shooting ability couldn't compare to McGinn's.
"McGinn dribbles into midfield," Weaver comntated. "Charlie Adam appears in front of McGinn. McGinn simply barges right past him."
Soon, McGinn's running carried him deep into Stoke City's half, imdiately drawing the panicked attention of Stoke City's players.
Under the frantic shouts of manager Nathan Jones, center-back Batth imdiately stepped out to press.
And another deep-lying midfielder, Etebo, also charged toward McGinn.
But McGinn's crucial pass instantly broke Stoke City's double-team.
The ball landed perfectly at Theodore Bjorn's feet.
When Theodore received the ball, he was in his familiar right-wing position.
Inside the penalty area, Abraham and Grealish began their runs, and McGinn also surged into Stoke City's box.
Three attackers poised to strike.
Theodore had three distinct passing options.
"The ball is back at Theodore's feet," Weaver said, his voice rising in anticipation. "This ti... who will the teenager choose to pass to?"
The Sky Sports comntators both widened their eyes, focusing all their attention on Theodore.
Since the full-back responsible for marking Theodore, Clucas, was still in the attacking third and hadn't tracked back in ti, this gave Theodore ample ti to prepare and think.
In the end, Theodore chose to pass the ball to Grealish.
Two seconds later, the ball curved beautifully past Stoke City's two center-backs, Batth and Indi, landing precisely at Grealish's feet.
Just as Grealish was about to take his shooting stance, Tom Edwards desperately pulled Grealish down to the ground.
The referee imdiately blew his whistle upon seeing this.
It was the sharp whistle for a foul.
At the sa ti, the referee pointed straight to the penalty spot.
Aston Villa were awarded a penalty!
"The referee points to the spot. That is a very clear foul," Weaver analyzed instantly. "Stoke City's full-back Tom Edwards pulled Grealish down just as he was about to shoot. It's a very obvious foul. The referee's decision is absolutely correct."
At the penalty spot, Grealish, who had already scored three goals in this match, was ready.
His eyes were filled with determination, firmly fixed on the opposing goalkeeper, Butland.
After a long tense pause, Grealish suddenly accelerated.
Bang.
The ball hit the right post with pinpoint inaccuracy.
He had missed the penalty.
Just as Stoke City fans in the Britannia Stadium stands were about to cheer in relief, a figure suddenly appeared crashing in front of the goal.
It was Bjorn.
As it turned out, Theodore had rushed aggressively into the penalty area the mont Grealish took the shot.
He originally intended to celebrate Grealish's fourth goal imdiately.
But unexpectedly, Grealish's shot hit the post... and coincidentally, the ball rebounded off the post right into his path.
Just like that, Theodore Bjorn scored his very first goal for Aston Villa!
5-2.
All suspense was completely vanquished.
After Theodore's goal, no one was happier than Grealish.
He imdiately rushed to Theodore, hugged him tightly and shouted excitedly into his ear.
"Theo! You know what, mate. Actually, that goal was intentionally set up for you."
"I missed on purpose. I knew you'd be right there for the rebound."
Upon hearing Grealish's shaless claim, Theodore showed a look of utter disdain.
"Is that so. Then I really should thank you, shouldn't I."
Gary Weaver shouted frantically.
"THEODORE BJORN HAS SCORE. Theodore Bjorn has scored his first goal. This is his first ever goal for the first team. Who would have thought it would be scored in such a chaotic manner. It's been so hard-earned."
"Let's hope Theodore can continue to score more goals in the matches to co," Goodman added.
"A score of five to two already signals the bitter end of this ga for Stoke."
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