Town dropped into the bottom three after narrowly failing to break the deadlock in an exciting 0-0 at Portman Road. The Blues were the better side for the majority of the match, but Peter Schmeichel's leg and a post prevented the Blues getting the three points, although Matteo Sereni made two fine saves in the later stages.

The Blues lined-up without Sixto Peralta who failed to recover from his aggravated thigh strain. Finidi George came into the side at right midfield. Otherwise it was the same as the side which drew 1-1 at Newcastle last weekend.

Matt Holland had the first effort of the game inside the first minute as Town took the game to the away side.

There was controversy in the sixth minute as Chris Makin and Darius Vassell went in for a good solid 50/50 challenge. Makin won the ball but went to ground holding his ankle. Although there was no foul it was clear Makin was in trouble and Marcus Bent tried to put the ball out only to be prevented by Olof Mellberg and other Villa players who continued playing. Eventually, with the Town crowd booing Steve Stone played the ball out.

That was it for Makin and in the ninth minute Jim Magilton replaced him, Jermaine Wright going to right-back and the Northern Irishman taking over in the centre of midfield.

Villa's best early opportunity came on 10 with Vassell mis-hitting a Dublin ball into the area to Sereni. The Town keeper had little trouble.

Finidi George hit a shot from the edge of the area on 13 which Schmeichel failed to hold first time. The big Dane, who began time-wasting at goalkicks virtually from the start, got to the ball before any of the advancing Town strikers.

On 21 Marcus Bent had his best opportunity so far. A Mark Venus corner whipped over and Bent his a shot goalwards which Schmeichel saved. Again he failed to hold on to it, but a subsequent Bent effort was also kept out by the ex-Manchester United man.

A minute later Vassell his a shot well-wide before another Venus corner created danger in the Villa box. Marcus Stewart got a near-post flick on to the ball but John McGreal just failed to divert it goalwards.

An unchanged Town started the second half positively and a Finidi George run and shot was almost deflected off Marcus Bent and in. Luckily for Villa it went just by the post.

The away side got more into the game, but weren't creating much in the way of chances. A few speculative shots were flying past and over Sereni's goal including a particularly wayward one from Hitzlsperger.

On 49 Jamie Clapham sent in a deep cross to an unmarked Finidi George. He hit the ball across the face of the goal with a great deal of power as Marcus Stewart ran in. Stewart got to the ball but sent it straight at Schmeichel who scrambled it away.

Referee Pugh, who was annoying the Town support for failing to prevent Villa from wasting time at any opportunity, got his cards out for the first time after Dublin had collided with Finidi. The Nigerian looked to have been caught in the face by Dublin's elbow and the ex-Coventry man was shown a yellow card.

Dublin was in attacking action soon afterwards, but as he took the ball into the area John McGreal dispossessed him.

Town were still having the best of it and just before the hour Marcus Stewart ought to have scored. Jermaine Wright crossed from deep on the right, Stewart stooped and sent a header goalwards which Schmeichel just got a foot to. The ball came back in, but again was cleared.

Villa, though were still having moments of their own. With half and hour to go Hitzlsperger hit a shot wide from the edge of the area.

Town were coming close, but that elusive goal wouldn't come. A Marcus Bent run down the right saw him cut inside his defender and put in a low cross. Sadly for the Blues it was between the two advancing midfielders, Holland and Clapham. Once more the danger was cleared and Jermaine Wright went down injured as Villa broke. The former Crewe man was feeling his ankle, but after treatment carried on.

Town came the closest they were to a goal in the 68th minute. Again it was a Jamie Clapham cross which caused the danger with Marcus Bent going up for the ball on the far post. It dropped to Magilton whose first effort was saved by Schmeichel. He got a second bite at it, but his effort cannoned back off the post and away.

Referee David Pugh was again derided by Town supporters when he called back play with Marcus Stewart well-placed. Stewart has challenged Steve Staunton in the air and the Irishman had fallen to the ground feeling his head. Play was stopped to allow treatment to be given to Staunton, Jim Magilton's brother —in-law.

Town's last good opportunity fell to Marcus Bent but his effort was charged down by the impressive Mellberg. The Villa central defenders had a good afternoon with Staunton particularly effective.

As the game moved towards the end it was Villa who had most of the better play, but Sereni was equal to it.

First, on 77, he saved an effort from Boateng as Villa broke quickly then tipped a long distance Hizlsperger effort over the bar. Soon after Alun Armstrong replaced Marcus Stewart and Martijn Reuser came on for Finidi George. Both had had decent games, but Burley clearly felt that a change might bring about the much needed goal.

As the game moved into injury time (four minutes hardly made up for constant time-wasting from Schmeichel in particular) Jim Magilton headed a corner off his own bar and the ball went to safety.

A draw is not what Town required and Bolton's victory has seen the Blues return to the bottom three. As last week a performance that deserved a bit more, but that away match at Bolton on April 6th is now looking more and more crucial for both teams. On current form Town have a more than good chance of taking at least something from Upton Park next Saturday.

Photo: Action Images

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