Darren Bent nodded in a mirror image of his Upton Park goal shortly before half time to cancel out Kenwyne Jones’ 20th minute header, unsurprisingly from a Rory Delap long throw, in a game that’s unlikely to be released on DVD any time soon.

Bent’s goal just about provided the only glimmer of class from a Villa side that were pedestrian for most of the match. Credit must be given to the visitors for pressing and harrying well before they scored, but Villa’s response was mostly extremely predictable and laboured.

Stoke came and did what we would expect. Rory Delap threw the ball a long way, eventually it yielded a goal when Jones easily beat Richard Dunne in the air and then they retreated. That’s okay, there are no points for artistic impression. It’s up to us find a way to beat them and we were the home side. No complaints.

And today was one of those days where nothing really clicked. Aside from the goal moment, I can’t think of anyone who really stood out in claret and blue. It was quite simply one of those atrocious games of football that are better forgotten.

We remain unbeaten though, another point closer to absolute safety. None of the other results really gave us anything to be concerned about. I heard Liverpool got a rather tasty result and the Anfield crowd paid tribute to Gerard Houllier as well. Which is a nice touch.

Otherwise, what else is there to say at this stage? A point’s a point, four games left, on to the next one.