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It was a case of set-pieces and good will to all men for Alex McLeish at the Britannia Stadium after Villa finally got their defensive act together.

Having spent the first half of the season handing out gifts at dead-ball situations, the relief and pride on the face of the Villa boss as he spoke to journalists afterwards about his side’s ability to defend set-piece situations positively for once was palpable.

The claret and blues were given a stern examination by Stoke City on Boxing Day, yet when most expected them to fold quicker than stock at the local origami club, they came through what McLeish described as “the ultimate test” with a clean sheet.

Every time Villa’s opponent has won a free-kick or corner this season there has been a collective drawing of breath as supporters awaited the inevitable.

Indeed the statistics beforehand were foreboding; Villa had conceded 13 goals from set-pieces in the Premier League this season – the joint-most with Bolton – and had leaked more from corners than anyone else.

Stoke, meanwhile, had scored more goals from set-piece situations than anyone else in the top flight and had the added threat of long throw-ins from Ryan Shotton and Rory Delap, who later emerged from the bench.

But with such emphatic statistics we should have guessed that football logic dictates Villa would get their act together in the game where they should be most likely to concede from such scenarios.

McLeish made two changes from the side which lost 2-1 against Arsenal as James Collins and Emile Heskey were recalled to the starting line-up.

With Alan Hutton out through suspension, Carlos Cuellar moved to right-back as Collins partnered Richard Dunne in the centre while Stephen Ireland was dropped to the bench.

Darren Bent travelled to the Britannia Stadium but was not risked despite training on the morning of the game having felt pain in the thigh/groin area, an injury which has now kept him out of Villa’s last three games.

Naturally Bent’s absence sent the online masses into hysteria that he will be sold in January but, with McLeish, chief executive Paul Faulkner and Bent himself insisting he will stay, it is fairly safe to assume he will be a Villa player come the end of January.

Stoke served notice of their intent to test Villa with their aerial power as long balls, throw-ins and corners were all launched into the box in the opening stages.

However, it was in fact Villa who went closest from a set-piece in the 21st minute when Charles N’Zogbia whipped a dangerous corner into the box that was met by Heskey and his glancing header rebounded back out off the near post.

Robert Huth showed good strength to climb highest in the penalty area five minutes later but his header from a Dean Whitehead free-kick went over the crossbar.

A strong tackle by Ciaran Clark on Dean Whitehead in the 40th minute set up a Villa counter-attack as the ice-cool Cuellar threaded the ball through to Stiliyan Petrov who saw his shot from a tight angle hit the side netting.

Villa keeper Brad Guzan, who played his part in helping the claret and blues improve from set-pieces by boldly coming off his line to catch or punch, had to be alert shortly before the break as he denied Kenwyne Jones when the striker chased on to a flick-on from Jonathan Walters.

Heskey was withdrawn at the break having suffered a recurrence of an Achilles problem which has troubled him in recent weeks and was replaced by Nathan Delfouneso, who almost found the net with virtually his first touch of the game.

Gabby Agbonlahor spun Huth on the halfway line and outpaced the Stoke centre-back before he delivered a low cross in for Delfouneso who slid in to direct a shot on goal but Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen saved well to his right.

Stoke thought they had taken the lead in the 69th minute when Matthew Etherington’s corner was met by Marc Wilson and his header crashed against the underside of the crossbar. But Agbonlahor chested the ball off the line and the danger was cleared – TV replays showing the ball hadn’t gone in.

N’Zogbia saw his curling free-kick parried by ex-Villa keeper Sorenson moments later but no visiting player could react quickly enough to stab the loose ball home, much to the chagrin of McLeish.

Stoke piled the pressure on in the remainder of the game but Villa held on to claim their second point in four visits to the Britannia Stadium.

It was also a significant battle against their own defensive problems but the war against the issue is not won yet.

Only after a repeat performance against Chelsea can Villa think about signing their own set-piece agreement.