West Brom 0 Villa 0 - Report and pictures
West Midlands rivals West Brom and Villa could not be separated as they played out a hard-fought goalless draw at the Hawthorns.
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In a game of few chances, Villa felt they should have had a penalty midway through the first-half when Jordan Ayew appeared to be fouled by Jonas Olsson.
Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster made the only two notable saves of the game, keeping out efforts from Ayew and Ashley Westwood.
Stephane Sessesgnon went closest for the Baggies, with a shot which went wide. Villa finished the game the stronger but could not find a way past the home defence.
Though the result extended their unbeaten run to five games, boss Remi Garde will feel this was a missed opportunity for his side. Albion were well below-par and struggled to create any chances of note.
The hosts received a boost pre kick-off as both Jonas Olsson and skipper Darren Fletcher were passed fit to play.
The most significant change in the Baggies starting line-up saw Foster replace Boaz Myhill in goal. It was the England international's first start since March 14.
Garde made just one change from last week's 1-1 draw with Leicester, fit-again Micah Richards coming in for Jordan Veretout.
Albion (4-2-3-1): Foster, Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Evans, Fletcher, Yacob, Gardner (Berahino 63), Sessegnon (McManaman 74), McClean, Rondon (Anichebe 64).
Subs not used: Chester, Pocognoli, Lambert, Myhill (gk).
Villa (4-2-3-1): Bunn, Richards, Okore, Lescott, Cissokho, Westwood, Gana, Bacuna, Gil, Ayew, Kozak (Gestede 63, Veretout 81).
Subs not used: Clark, Sinclair, Lyden, Grealish, Guzan (gk).)[/breakout]
There was no shortage of energy from both teams in the early stages, though quality was somewhat lacking.
The first effort on goal did not arrive until the 18th minute when Sessegnon saw his shot from distance blocked.
Ayew then brought the first save of the game with a low drive, after winning possession in the middle of the park and running at the home defence.
Villa will feel they should then have been awarded a penalty after Olsson brought down Ayew in the box.
The defender appeared to make contact with man only as he slid in to try and dispossess the striker but referee Rob Madley waved away appeals for a spot-kick.
It was comfortably the first half's biggest talking point, with the only other incident of rash challenge by Richards on Claudio Yacob, which saw the Villa skipper shown a yellow card.
Sessegnon was just off target with a long-range shot for Albion early in the second half, while the otherwise quiet Salomon Rondon also fired over from a Craig Dawson cross.
Garde introduced Gestede for the ineffective Libor Kozak and he was quickly involved, heading a Westwood cross wide of the target.
He then repeated the trick from a Cissokho centre but it was the only action of a short cameo for the striker, who was forced off with a hamstring.
Foster then saved Westwood's low effort before Richards headed the resulting corner wide.
Leandro Bacuna and Idrissa Gana both fired off target as Villa dominated the closing stages but they could not find a winner.
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