Aston Villa's inability to string together back-to-back wins again cost them
as they were frustrated by Charlton in an instantly forgotten Premiership
encounter at Villa Park.
David O'Leary's patched up side have failed to notch up successive victories
for more than five months and that inconsistency is hindering their chances of
securing a European spot.
Villa have won their last two away matches in impressive style at Newcastle
and Southampton but have followed that up with disappointing draws against West
Brom and the Addicks on home soil.
Steve Davis did his best to drive them on from midfield with another
all-action display from the Northern Ireland international while Mark Delaney
impressed in defence as a makeshift centre-back.
But the number of clear-cut chances could be counted on one hand with neither
set of forwards looking capable of finding a way through.
Charlton also have ambitions of sneaking into Europe and they will be content
with a point after failing to win only one of the previous nine games. They were
well served in the centre of the park by the experienced Danny Murphy.
Juan Pablo Angel had an early opportunity for Villa when the ball broke kindly
for him to the left of the Charlton area.
But the Colombian international failed to make proper contact with his low
shot which flew harmlessly past the post.
The Addicks tried to retaliate and a cross from the left flank by Jonatan
Johansson almost picked out Dennis Rommedahl but Gareth Barry was alert to the
situation.
It needed Thomas Hitzlsperger to briefly bring the crowd to life with a
typically powerful long-range effort which was parried away by Charlton keeper
Dean Kiely.
Charlton striker Francis Jeffers became the first player to be yellow-carded
after 18 minutes for dissent after disputing a free-kick award to Villa.
Kiely then just managed to cling on to a low cross from Angel when under
pressure from Carlton Cole after good play by Lee Hendrie.
Villa defender Ulises de la Cruz made a rare sortie forward and managed to get
his left-footed effort on target but Kiely had his body comfortably behind the
ball.
Cole, who spent last season on loan at Charlton, then showed his potential
with a fine turn of pace that took him clear of the visitors' defence on the
left.
He delivered a teasing ball across the penalty area and Angel at full stretch
only failed by inches to connect.
Charlton found themselves in a three against three situation when they
counter-attacked after a good break by Danny Murphy but once again the finish -
this time by Jeffers - left a lot to be desired.
Davis continued in the same impressive vein of the first half with a fine
tackle to halt Hughes in his tracks just outside the Villa area.
Then Gareth Barry came as close as anyone to relieving the tedium in the 53rd
minute after controlling a long crossfield ball from Hendrie.
The former England Under-21 captain cut inside and his curling right-footed
shot was only a foot or so off target.
But in the 61st minute the visitors needed a goal-line clearance from Murphy
to prevent Solano from giving Villa the lead.
The Peru international played a short corner to Barry and, after accepting the
return pass, saw his drive to the far post headed on to the bar by Murphy.
Charlton's best chance to date fell to Hermann Hreidarsson 60 seconds later
when he glanced his header past the post from Murphy's corner.
Hitzlsperger nearly snatched victory for the home side when he fired just wide
after meeting a cross from De la Cruz.
Teams:
Aston Villa Sorensen, De la Cruz, Delaney, Samuel, Barry,
Solano, Hendrie (Vassell 72), Davis, Hitzlsperger, Angel,
Cole (Moore 84).
Subs Not Used: Postma, Djemba-Djemba, Berson.
Charlton Kiely, Kishishev, Fortune, El Karkouri,
Hreidarsson (Perry 87), Johansson, Hughes, Murphy, Holland,
Rommedahl (Euell 76), Jeffers.
Subs Not Used: Thomas, Andersen, Fuller.
Booked: Jeffers.
Att: 31,312
Ref: B Knight (Kent).
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