A VILLA VIP has been invited to the big game at the Britannia tomorrow ... by Stoke boss Tony Pulis.

Peter McParland is part of Aston Villa folklore after scoring both goals in their 2-1 win over Manchester United in the 1957 FA Cup final.

The former Northern Ireland international is almost as famous for the shoulder charge that left United keeper Ray Wood with a broken cheekbone in an era when men were men.

Now in his mid-seventies, McParland and Pulis first met several years ago when bumping into one another in their adopted hometown of Bournemouth.

“He’s a lovely fella,” says Pulis, “and you can tell he was a big striker because he still towers over everyone.

“Once I found out exactly who he was, I always thought it would be nice to invite him to a game if I had the chance.

“He came up to Villa Park last season as my guest and we went and got a late 2-2 draw, so I hope he’s a lucky omen again for us this weekend.

“We’ll make a fuss of him and let’s hope he’s sat there admiring a good result for Stoke City, not Aston Villa.”

Pulis will also be rolling out the red carpet for another Villa favourite tomorrow afternoon when he crosses swords with Martin O’Neill for a fourth time as Premier League counterparts.

The score currently stands at one win apiece, with that draw at Villa Park sandwiched in between.

And Pulis reckons he has a true measure of the man after O’Neill’s reaction to Mama Sidibe’s 94th-minute winner at the Britannia last season and Glenn Whelan’s late equaliser eight months later at Villa Park.

“It’s difficult when you lose a game late on, or have a win taken away, but there was no moaning or bleating from Martin.

“No, his demeanour after the game was brilliant. He was just full of warmth and generosity towards Stoke City, and that says something about the man.

“It shows the man has class – and I certainly can’t say that about everyone,” he added, in what many will regard as a reference to a certain French manager in the Premier League.

Pulis has remained indebted to O’Neill ever since he was allowed to take both Lee Hendrie and Patrik Berger on loan from Villa during the early days of the current Stoke revolution back in 2006.

There will be no such favours tomorrow, however, as Villa roll into town desperate for points to remain in the chase for fourth spot – and Champions League qualification – alongside Manchester City, Tottenham and Liverpool.

“They’ve also reached the Carling Cup final and the semi-finals of the FA Cup,” added Pulis, “so Martin’s record speaks for itself this season.

“We’re certainly under no illusion about just how tough this match will be. But Martin’s been at the top of his game for years now and, for me at least, he should have been named England manager when the vacancy was last up.

“He’s got the necessary experience as both a player and a manager, both here and in European competition.

“He’s proved he can get the very best out of the players in his dressing room and he would certainly have their respect.”

Motivation could now be an issue for Stoke as they meander cheerfully towards mathematical safety after reaching 35 points with 10 games still remaining.

Pulis wants 40 points initially, the widely-accepted safety target, but then wants his players to better last season’s total of 45 to become only the second club, after Blackburn, to improve on their first season in the Premier League.

“There’s still 30 points to play for and we’ll be doing our best to get as many as we can,” he said.

One man focusing on the remainder of Stoke’s Premier League campaign is winger Matthew Etherington.

Having returned to action at Burnley on Wednesday following a knee injury, he is keen to get back to the sort of form he was showing before being carried off during Stoke’s FA Cup clash at Manchester City last month.

But he also realises Villa will pose a tough challenge.

He said: “Villa are a good side. They have been brilliant in the cups this year, so it will be a tough game.

“But if our fans can make it intimidating again, not many teams fancy coming to our place.

“Our supporters have been brilliant again this year, probably even better than last season, if that is possible.”

Victory at home to Aston Villa would move Stoke to 38 points, which has been enough to survive in five of the last six seasons.

Etherington added: “A couple more wins or maybe a win and a draw should do it, but last week the manager set us the target of beating our 45 points tally from last year.

“One thing with this manager is that he will never let you take your foot off the pedal.

“If he sees anyone slacking or thinking about the beach, then they will be out of the team.”