Aston Villa 1 Stoke 1: Bent sends get well message to Houllier

By Chris Moore Updated:

Darren Bent provided little more than a token tonic for the hospitalised Gerard Houllier in denying Stoke their first top-flight win at Villa Park in 46 years.

The £24million England striker cancelled an opener from Kenwyne Jones with his seventh goal in 12 starts since his arrival from Sunderland, a return that has earned Villa eight points in their climb towards Premiership survival.

Heading home: Darren Bent bags the equaliser for Aston Villa

Heading home: Darren Bent bags the equaliser for Aston Villa

But FA Cup finalists Stoke, still not absolutely sure of safety, had threatened to add to Houllier's woe.

The 63-year-old Frenchman is still under observation in a Birmingham hospital after being admitted with chest pains.

Sharp shooter: Darren Bent celebrates his goal for Aston Villa

Sharp shooter: Darren Bent celebrates his goal for Aston Villa

Houllier had open-heart surgery while Liverpool boss in 2001 and although he was described as 'comfortable' yesterday, and unlikely to require further surgery, he is not expected to return before the end of the season.

'That decision won't be Gerard's or Villa's, but will be made by his doctors,' said assistant manager Gary McAllister, who kept an unchanged side following last week's 2-1 win at West Ham.

Man of the moment: Stoke's Kenwyne Jones celebrates his goal

Man of the moment: Stoke's Kenwyne Jones celebrates his goal

McAllister was first to admit Villa weathered an early 'battering', including seven corners in succession, as the opening 20 minutes made anything but encouraging listening for Houllier in his hospital bed.

Rory Delap's first long throw-in almost fashioned an opener as Robert Huth latched on to a clearance to force a fine save from Brad Friedel.

Pass masters: Stoke's Jermaine Pennant (right) holds off Aston Villa's Luke Young

Pass masters: Stoke's Jermaine Pennant (right) holds off Aston Villa's Luke Young

And the keeper produced an even better one-handed stop from the resulting corner in keeping out a header from Jones.

Manning the fort: Gary McAllister took charge

Manning the fort: Gary McAllister took charge

MATCH FACTS

ASTON VILLA (4-4-2): Friedel; Walker,
Collins, Dunne, L Young; Downing
(Albrighton 67mins), Reo-Coker, Petrov,
A Young; Heskey (Agbonlahor 79), Bent. Subs (not used): Marshall, Pires, Makoun, Clark, Cuellar.
STOKE (4-4-2): Begovic; Wilkinson,
Shawcross, Huth, Wilson; Pennant,
Delap (Fuller 75), Whelan, Etherington
(Whitehead 73); Jones (Diao 88), Walters. Subs (not used): Sorensen,
Collins, Pugh, Faye. Booked: Wilson,
Whelan, Begovic. Referee: C Foy (Merseyside).

But Stoke did score after another of Delap's trademark assists. Jones was up highest to direct a glancing header out of Friedel's reach into the far top corner.

Villa failed to threaten until Emile Heskey headed wide from Stewart Downing's 32nd-minute cross.

But the tide turned two minutes from the interval as Bent got on the end of Kyle Walker's cross to direct a header into the net off a post.

The second half was a dour affair, with both sides lacking creative craft.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis said: 'The worst thing that happened to us was half-time because we couldn't pick up the tempo again.

'But you never sniff at taking a point here.'

Happy with a point: Tony Pulis was satisfied

Happy with a point: Tony Pulis was satisfied


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