Stoke City produced a resolute defensive display to frustrate Aston Villa in a goalless Midlands derby at Villa Park this afternoon.
The hosts dominated both possession and chances created during the encounter but could not break down a Potters defence which has now kept eight clean sheets this season.
Brett Holman and Gabriel Agbonlahor both had early efforts blocked, before Matthew Lowton forced a double save out of Asmir Begovic, who proved why he is a target of the Premier League elite with another assured display.
After the interval, Christian Benteke wasted Villa's best opportunity of the match when he tamely side-footed Lowton's cross into the hands of Begovic.
Stoke failed to register a single shot on target throughout the match and even the introduction of Peter Crouch and Darren Bent from their respective benches could not end the stalemate.
The visitors ended the game with 10 men as Ryan Shotton was harshly dismissed for two bookable offences, but Villa's numerical advantage came with not enough time left on the clock for them to capitalise and snatch a winner.
Joe Fish
