Player Ratings: Stoke City 0-0 Aston Villa

Made a good stop from Delfouneso early in the second half, getting his foot to the shot. Was lucky to get away with fumbling N'Zogbia's free-kick with 15 minutes to go.

Was unlucky to pick up an early booking after tangling with Agbonlahor in an aerial challenge. Missed two opportunities in the first half, the second of which he should have done better with and saw another effort over the bar in the second half.

Did well to deal with Agbonlahor as he threatened down the left in the first half, but was easily turned at the start of the second. A fairly quiet game for the centre-back.

Filled in for Delap with the long throws but wasn't quite as effective as Stoke's prime tormentor has been over the years. Put in plenty of effort as the game was played primarily down his flank for much of the match.

Got caught out on a couple of occasions in the first half too high up the pitch, but defended solidly for the most part before his substitution.

Dealt well to prevent Albrighton putting in crosses to Heskey in the first half, and kept him quiet in the second. Came close to opening the scoring as his header crashed off the underside of the bar and onto Agbonlahor, but didn't cross the line.

Looked a little off the pace in the first half but put in some good interceptions to win back possession and played the simple stuff well as the game progressed.

Put in some good crosses that deserved better finishing but didn't get too much time on the ball to attack Cuellar. Put in the corners that led to Stoke's best chances.

Was lucky to escape sanction for a tackle from behind half an hour in. Was muscled off the ball by Agbonlahor in the second half and didn't last too long. A disappointing performance.

Faced a difficult task battling against Dunne and Collins, and almost stole in for a goal just before half time. Won plenty of knock downs for his team but didn't have many opportunities in front of goal.

Worked hard as ever, but didn't really trouble Villa's defence as they stayed strong. Wasn't the best game for the Irishman.

Out quickly and bravely at the feet of Kenwyne Jones before half time to smother the ball. Dealt very well with the long balls into the box, particularly when Delap appeared from the bench. Almost got caught out at the end coming too far for a cross.

Dealt well with Shotton and didn't back out of any challenges, but didn't really get forward enough in the way he would have liked to.

Got beaten in the air early by Robert Huth and should have been punished but got away with it and recovered well.

Gave Stoke a taste of their own medicine with a strong but fair tackle on Dean Whitehead and gave the midfield some bite in the centre.

Should have been in for a tough night against the tricky Etherington, but kept him quite for much of the match.

Didn't have much of an impact on the match and drifted through large periods. When he did get an opportunity to put in a cross, it was woefully overhit with Delfouneso and Agbonlahor in the centre.

Was chopped down in the first half but recovered well. He should have pulled back an effort that went well wide as he had Agbonlahor available in the centre of the area. Got away with a bad clearance that flew just wide of his far corner late on.

Caused problems for the Stoke defence as he looked to get in behind with his pace and did just that early in the second half, but Deflouneso just couldn't find the net. Was Villa's best attacking player.

Some nice link up play with Agbonlahor and held the ball well early on before hitting the post with a header. His substitution at half-time was a blow as the striker had been challenging well and was also useful when defending set pieces.