BEN FOSTER says all his Aston Villa supporting friends won't really know what to make of this. Well, it might just be the weekend when their hopes of Premier League survival finally went up in smoke.
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| Ben Foster says West Brom will be happier with a point after their stalemate with Aston Villa |
Most of the teams at the bottom floundered but Villa really couldn't afford anything less than victory. They had a clear edge in this derby but ended up blowing a great opportunity and surrendering the chance to close the gap on those above them.
West Brom goalkeeper Foster returned for his first Premier League start in 10 months and agreed Villa will see this as two points that have slipped away.
"We'll be happier with the point," he said. "They gave it their all and you could see they were scrapping for their lives.
"I've got a few mates who are Villa fans and they have been miserable all season and didn't really hold much hope going into the game. I'm sure they'll be alright with a point but it didn't really help them too much."
Albion were poor and the home fans let them know exactly what they thought after a game they might well have lost on a penalty.
Jonas Olsson sent Jordan Ayew tumbling in the box but referee Robert Madley waved away Villa's pitiful appeals.
But Foster revealed afterwards that Madley clearly hadn't come to the decision lightly.
"The referee asked me after the game, 'What do you think?' I don't think it was a penalty, more two players coming together," said the keeper.
Albion didn't manage a single shot on target in what was a tame derby encounter with little to commend it. Foster was forced to make a couple of diving stops to keep out shots from Ayew and Ashley Westwood but that was about it.
He is just glad to be back after cruciate surgery but admitted he felt for stand-in Boaz Myhill, who has rarely put a foot wrong filling in for him.
Foster added: "It felt good but I was a little surprised to get the nod. Bo's been fantastic this season and he's one of my best mates so I do feel sorry for him."
Villa boss Remi Garde said: "We won't give up until the end. Maybe some people have, but not any of my players. I will be the last one to give up."
WEST BROM (4-3-2-1): Foster 7; Dawson 7, McAuley 7, Olsson 6, Evans 6; Sessegnon 6 (McManaman 74), Yacob 8, Fletcher 6; Gardner 5 (Berahino 64, 4), McLean 5, Rondon 5 (Anichebe 64, 5). NEXT UP: Peterborough (h) Sat, FA Cup.
ASTON VILLA (4-3-2-1): Bunn 6; Richards 7, Okore 7, Lescott 7, Cissokho 6; Bacuna 5, Gana 6, Westwood 7; Ayew 7, Gil 8; Kozak 5 (Gestede 64, 5, Veretout 79). Booked: Richards. NEXT UP: West Ham (a) Feb 2, PL.
Referee: Robert Madley.
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