But substitute Steven Naismith broke Villa's resistance with a 16-yard shot.
Some shots did get through, but the closest City came to breaking Villa's resistance was when Aleksandar Kolarov saw his drilled effort deflect off Alan Hutton and come back off the outside of the post.
Leicester were still dangerous on the break but Villa struck six minutes before half-time.
Spain flexed their muscles after the break with Villa adding two more and Torres one in the first 15 minutes of the second half before Mata made it eight when he got a lucky deflection after a one-two with David Silva.
But Spain international Diego Costa slotted in the opener after the break from Villa's pass.
Stoke once again controlled possession after the break with Villa content to hold on to what they had.
Hooper's introduction helped the home side exert some pressure but they struggled to break down Villa's defence.
But the game turned seven minutes after the break when Villa's Joe Bennett was sent off for a second booking.
City, meanwhile, were seeing far more of the ball but were unable to break down Villa's determined defence.
The 23-year-old wasted the chance to double his side's lead before the break, while Villa could not convert a host of opportunities they created throughout.
