Aston Villa 0 Fulham 0

Last updated : 25 March 2006 By Footymad Previewer
The off the pitch atmosphere at Villa Park was not very encouraging for home side boss David O'Leary.

Looking towards the Holte End stand the Villa boss could see a couple of banners draping the top section. One read: "O'Leary out" and the other stated: "We are not fickle, we just don't like you!"

With this sort of background it was hardly surprising that Villa struggled to make an impact against their fellow strugglers.

It was therefore somewhat fortunate that Fulham, the only team without an away win to their credit in the four divisions, rarely looked capable of breaking this dismal record.

Malbranque was full of industry but the end product was a negative Fulham performance in sharp contrast to their recent uplifting win over the league leaders, Chelsea.

The anxiety in Villa's defence, which has plagued them all season, was again evident and it was fortunate that they came up against a Fulham attack which was well off the pace.

The fundamental difference between the two teams was that Villa were the keener side looking for a win to halt their run of three games without a victory.

Villa's midfielders, Gavin McCann and Steven Davis, worked vigorously but to no avail in the goalless first half.

The story could have been much different if McCann had displayed better finishing power on the half hour when the former England player found himself in possession near the penalty spot.

He had no less than three attempts but he lacked power to blast his way through the Fulham rearguard.

From the resultant corner Zat Knight was fortunate not to concede an own goal as the ball bounced off the young defender straight into the waiting arms of goalkeeper Mark Crossley.

Villa's make-shift defence which included Aaron Hughes and Liam Ridgewell in the centre, was not unduly pressurised.

Early in second half Villa took off Lee Hendrie, who started his 200th game for the Birmingham club, and sent on teenager Gabriel Agbonlahor, who made a goalscoring debut in the 4-1 defeat at Everton last week.

Record signing Juan Pablo Angel, who has had a desperately poor season, was also drafted into the match but the Colombian is still sadly off the pace and Fulham had little difficulty maintaining a clean sheet.

The Londoners, and in particular Malbranque, created the better goalscoring chances. Twice the Frenchman attempted powerful long-range shots which tested Sorensen but the match eventually petered out into a goalless draw.