Pulis praise for staunch Villa

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis praised Aston Villa’s defending after his side was held to a goalless draw at the Britannia Stadium.

Stoke had the best chance of the Monday’s English Premier League encounter when Marc Wilson’s header was cleared off the line by Gabby Agbonlahor, while Emile Heskey hit the post for Villa in the first half.

Pulis saluted the visitors’ staunch backline, particularly the central defensive pairing of Richard Dunne and James Collins.

“I thought it was going to be a very tough game,” he told Sky Sports. That’s their sixth draw away from home this season.”

“We didn’t get out of the blocks as quickly as we’d like to but we have to give Villa some credit.”

“Their two centre-halves, Dunne and Collins, were very good tonight.”

The Stoke boss is hopeful of having Peter Crouch available again soon, after the striker missed the match against his former club with a virus.

“We have to make sure Peter is well. He’s such an important player for us. When he’s ready we’ll play him,” he said.

Villa’s point ensured they avoided losing three matches in succession, and manager Alex McLeish believes the side should be proud of their efforts against Stoke.

McLeish was pleased with the way Villa tightened up at the back, having conceding soft goals to corners in recent games.

“My lads were excellent tonight. They’ve been much maligned in the last couple of years and hopefully that’s the evidence for them that it’s the way to go forward,” he said.

“They should take great confidence from the way they defended. They were vigilant, concentrated, they were up for the battles and 50-50s.”

“We had five young players on the bench today, and Stephen Ireland and Andy Marshall were the other two subs. So that’s where we are, and with fantastic fighting spirit like that they’ve got to be pleased with themselves.”