Stoke are hoping to get back to winning ways when they return to the Britannia Stadium to host Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
Stoke had won four straight Premier League games for the first time before visiting Manchester City on Wednesday night.
The Potters were up against a City side top of the league having dropped just two points at home in 2011.
Manager Tony Pulis made four changes to the side that won 2-1 at Wolves and it soon became apparent they did not expect to get anything from the game.
Even after Sergio Aguero broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, Stoke seldom pushed bodies forward and settled for damage limitation, ultimately losing 3-0 to the league leaders.
Pulis' men remain eighth and they return to the Britannia looking for a third straight home win.
They face a Villa side which has lost three of their last four games, although the three defeats were at home to Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.
Villa struggled to pose Liverpool any problems after going 2-0 down inside 15 minutes last Sunday but manager Alex McLeish was encouraged by his team's response against Arsenal on Wednesday night.
Yossi Benayoun's 87th-minute condemned Villa to a 2-1 defeat which McLeish described as "heartbreaking" having produced what he saw as a "magnificent performance".
Villa are now five points behind Stoke in 12th and although they won 2-1 at Bolton on their last road trip, they have taken just one point from their three Premier League games at the Britannia.
Team news
Stoke could welcome back record signing Peter Crouch after missing the Manchester City defeat.
Their joint-top scorer had been suffering from severe headaches and has also had to deal with a burglary at his home.
Glenn Whelan (calf) is again doubtful but his fellow midfielder Matthew Etherington could return after a slight strain and defender Ryan Shawcross is back from suspension.
Aston Villa are also hoping to welcome back their record signing and joint top-scorer, namely Darren Bent.
The England international, who has netted five goals this season, has returned to training after being ruled out of the previous two games with a thigh injury.
Fellow striker Emile Heskey (Achilles) and defender James Collins (knee) are also expected to be in contention after missing the midweek home defeat against Arsenal but full-back Alan Hutton is suspended after his sending-off against the Gunners.
Possible starting XIs
Stoke: Sorensen, Wilson, Huth, Shawcross, Woodgate, Shotton, Whitehead, Palacios, Etherington, Walters, Crouch.
Aston Villa: Guzan, Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, N'Zogbia, Petrov, Clark, Albrighton, Agbonlahor, Bent.
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