George Burley, Marcus Bent and Matt Holland all felt that Town's performance against Villa probably deserved more than a point and that the Blues showed a lot of spirit.

Burley said at the post-match conference: "Sometimes in a game you can do everything except score. The players worked their socks off, put pressure on the ball and had six or seven great opportunities but didn't find the net. Credit to Peter Schmeichel, he blocked two or three with his legs and we hit the woodwork as well. We showed plenty of spirit and commitment but we needed a break.

"Villa are a decent side but we dominated most of the game, although a goal wouldn't come. We played well last week at Newcastle and were a couple of minutes away from three points and I felt we deserved the three points today.

"If we keep performing the results will come. We have seven games to go and if we keep the enthusiasm going until the end, we can still stay in the division. We have to keep battling away, the spirit is still very good, we worked hard, did well up front, but couldn't get that goal.

"Every game is vital. We are in a position where we have to fight for our lives to stay in the Premiership. Last season we won at Liverpool and drew at home to Manchester United so it is not impossible, although it's very tough".

Matt Holland agreed that Town ought to have got more from the game: "Obviously we wanted three points and the spirit we showed deserved the them. We created a number of chances in the second half.

"We put in much improved performances at Newcastle and this one."

Marcus Bent told the club site: "We did everything but score goals. The team and individuals worked hard and maybe we should have scored. I know people expect us to win at home but Villa worked hard, shut us down and had a few chances themselves, but I still feel we should have come away with the win.

"The way we played today wasn't like a side feeling edgy. We played like a side that shouldn't be at the bottom but is. Others around us won but we still have to play some of them but if we keep our heads and our confidence we can still get safe."

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