VIDEO: West Brom boss backs Ben Foster

West Brom boss Tony Pulis backed goalkeeper Ben Foster after his rare blunder gifted Villa a dramatic victory in phase one of their derby double-header.

Foster spilled a cross and fouled Matt Lowton to give Villa a stoppage-time penalty which Christian Benteke scored.

It earned them three priceless Premier League points and gave them momentum for Saturday's rematch in the last eight of the FA Cup.

Pulis said: "He has been absolutely fantastic for us this season, making saves and winning us games.

"He has had a poor night but no-one at this club will be having a go at Ben. I don't have to tell him that, he knows."

Foster issued a tweet to fans apologising for his mistake.

[tweet id="572883136108892160"]

Pulis refused to be drawn on a controversial late challenge by Villa defender Alan Hutton, who appeared to follow through deliberately into the midriff of Saido Berahino.

And Pulis backed his players to bounce back for Saturday's FA Cup clash.

He said: "There has been a lot of criticism of referees in the last few weeks and I'm not going to get into all that.

"I will let other people decide. Hutton delivered the cross for Villa's goal but I'm not going to criticise Jonathan Moss (the referee).

"Villa were the better side in the first half and it was one of those nights for us. We will dust ourselves down, get back to training on Thursday and go again."