Post-Match Villa Banter

Stoke's visit to Aston Villa saw them earn a point with Darren Bent's equaliser  after a Kenwyne Jones' header put the Potters in front. Was it a fair result? Or has one team lost out on two vital points? I caught up with Vital Aston Villa's Mike Field to pester him into giving his verdict on the match:

RYAN KALISZ: We both predicted a 1-1 draw, alongside rather hopeful predictions (especially from my perspective). Do you think it was a fair result?

MIKE FIELD: Well you had the ball in the back of the net a couple of times, although one of them was definitely offside, and we had a good two shouts for a pen, so overall based on chances spurned 1-1 is probably a fair result on reflection.

RK: So, are you happy with a point or disappointed you didn`t get more?

MF: Reasonably happy with a point, it was what seemed likely pre match to me and of course it's another point on the board for us, and we didn't lose so our unbeaten run looks a little healthier. However, the disappointment felt at not walking away with all 3 points comes from not having a competent referee who would've punished that clodhopper in your defence given Huth seemed more interested in feeling up the Villa lads than playing within the rules of the game. If he'd have received the justified red he deserves, it could've well been a different game.

RK: I'm sure they enjoyed it ;) There was a sudden burst of corners in the first half; seven in a row in fact! Was your heart in your mouth during that period seen as we are the deemed the 'set-piece wizards`?

MF: Regardless of the opposition I take a deep breath on set pieces thesedays given we have been atrocious all season at defending them.  It's not really a great surprise that you scored in the manner you did.
RK: Which Villa player shone for you during the game?

MF: It would be easy to pick Bent because of the goal, but I think I'd have to go for Luke Young. Another very assured performance on his wrong side at left back.  Not much got passed him and he linked in well with attack again.  It wasn't really a day where anybody shone too bright to be honest.

RK: Who did you think was the most dangerous Stoke player?

MF: I'll have to be obvious and go for Etherington and Delap, simply for being able to bombard our defence in the way you do. 

RK: A couple of debatable decisions from referee Chris Foy, but what`s your opinion on his performance?

MF: Mostly unpublishable. Referee's get a raw deal in most games, but occasionally there is a performance by an official that rejustifies your faith in believing we should have video technology and managers should be given 3 challenges.

RK: If you were to give the game an entertainment rating out of 10, what would your score be?

MF: One. Sadly it was one of the most uninspiring games ever watched I think.

RK: Do you think Gary McAllister will do Gerrard proud while he is away?

MF: Given the season we've had so far, it would be difficult to believe that McAllister could do anyworse at points.  It sounds like Houllier is still pulling most of the strings anyway, so I'm sure he'll do Gerard proud - whether the fans feel the same, we'll have to wait and see.

RK: Finally, what place do you think you will finish in?

MF: I'd expect us to be in or around 11th place come the end of the season now.  Far improved on where it looked like we might finish, but it's a few places lower than expected given most fans expected a dip anyway.

RK: Well thanks for your thoughts and good luck for the rest of your season. 

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