Super Reserves Shine In Stalemate

Last updated : 20 October 2009 By Tom Vickers

Villa's second string put in a superb display to hold a strong Stoke City side at the Weaver Stadium.

The Potters team included a number of players with Premier League experience including £5.5m man Dave Kitson and seasoned campaigner Danny Higginbotham.

However, they could simply not find a way past a youthful Claret and Blue team, who put in a spirited display which could have even earned them a wonderful win.

Austrian striker Andreas Weimann had the first effort of the game for Villa as he forced a neat save out of Stoke stopper Steve Simonsen.

Kevin MacDonald's resilient reserve side, who seem to possess a no fear attitude, also went close just before half time with starlet Nathan Delfouneso firing just over the bar.

The young lions were grateful to keeper Elliot Parish, who kept them in the game with a fine stop from Stoke substitute Nathaniel Wedderburn, before Weimann again forced Simonsen into action with a header from Marc Albrighton's centre.

All in all it was an impressive display from the Villans, who may have had less top level experience than their opponents but showed just as much quality.