Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
Martin O'Neill's Villa earned a point at White Hart Lane
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Saturday, 06, Feb 2010 07:30
By Darren Estwick.
Tottenham and Aston Villa cancelled each other out to record a 0-0 score line at White Hart Lane in the evening game in the Premier League.
In a game of few chances, Tottenham came the closest to scoring when Defoe put a shot over the bar when stretching for the ball. Villa rarely threatened managing just two shots on target.
It was Villa's defence that were left accepting the plaudits with another high quality defensive display.
Tottenham were the first to create an opportunity when King broke free of his marker from a corner, only to head straight at Brad Friedel.
Minutes later Peter Crouch was released inside the box but his shot was blocked by Villa defender Richard Dunne for a corner.
Midway through the first half Tom Huddlestone broke forward and struck a shot from distance but his shot was parried by the Aston Villa goalkeeper.
Villa were quiet up to this point but managed to register their first opportunity midway through the first half.
Workaholic James Milner struck from outside the area and Heurelho Gomes could only push the ball back out into the penalty area straight to the feet of the onrushing Agbonlahor, but his effort was also smothered by Gomes for a corner.
Just before half time, a free kick chipped to the edge of the area, headed on by Crouch, was then flicked goal wards by King but Friedel managed to save before Defoe's rebound effort flew over the bar.
The second half created little fanfare until the final few minutes.
Crouch exchanged passes with Luka Modric before the ball found Defoe. The England striker initially saw his shot blocked but Modric picked up the loose ball to force a fine save from Freidel.
In the final minutes Jermain Defoe produced a snap shot which was smothered at his near post by Friedel, before Crouch saw an effort cleared off the line.
The last few moments were characterised with endless long balls from the home side which the Villa centre back pairing of Richard Dunne and James Collins were only too happy to devour, resulting in stalemate for the big game of the day.