Aston Villa fans were left to rue to absence of John Gregory as their team had to settle for a frustrating 0-0 draw at Fulham's Craven Cottage on Saturday.

While the visiting supporters continued to vent their fury over the manager's departure on chairman 'Deadly' Doug Ellis, Gregory's influence was clearly evident at Pride Park as struggling Derby beat Tottenham 1-0 in his first match in charge.

The first half at Fulham was noteable only for Villa goalkeeper Peter Enckelman's smart parry from Louis Saha's close-range attempted lob in the 34th minute.

The second period was far more entertaining, with Zat Knight's thrashed 22-yard drive shaving the Villa post early on and Cottagers keeper Edwin van der Sar making a great block from Darius Vassell after his one-two with Juan Pablo Angel.

Fulham's Barry Hayles also lobbed the ball onto the roof of the Villa net and Vassell summed up the poor finishing on display when he shot straight at van der Sar when clean through late on.

John Deehan and Stuart Gray took temporary charge of Villa again on the banks of the River Thames.

The caretaker duo - standing in until Gregory's full-time successor is appointed - were dealt an injury blow as goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel was ruled out for a second match with a finger problem.

Finnish international Enckelman continued to deputise for him, in the side that included striker Darius Vassell, back after suffering a stomach upset in midweek.

For the hosts, Lee Clark missed out again with the Achilles problem which has sidelined him since Boxing Day - while broken nose victim Sean Davis faces another week on the sidelines.

The visitors made an encouraging start - but the vocal travelling supporters were far more concerned with calling for the head of Ellis.

Colombian forward Angel sliced wastefully wide from seven yards, after Paul Merson's midfield industry had created a crossing opportunity for Mustapha Hadji.

The home side came into the game mid-way through the first half, with Alain Goma thumping a powerful header over the crossbar from a Steed Malbranque corner.

And a swift move by the Cottagers came agonisingly close to their opener in the 34th minute.

Knight lofted the ball into the Villa box and Steve Marlet headed it into the path of Louis Saha. Last season's top-scorer tried to lob Enckelman, but the keeper just managed to palm the ball away.

Referee Matt Messias continued the clampdown on diving just before ther interval as Saha threw himself theatrically to the ground under a challenge from Mellberg on the edge of the Villa area. The Frenchman was booked.

Two minutes after the break, Knight emphasised Fulham's determination to move their game up a gear as he let rip with a 22-yard strike and forced Enckelman to make a fine diving save, tipping the ball onto his left-hand post.

But Villa hit back three minutes later with Vassell and Angel combining neatly to put the former through on goal. Van der Sar made a brilliant block with his legs.

It seemed the deadlock was about to be broken in the 68th minute when Hayles had a clear shooting opportunity 16 yards from goal. However, Enckelman made an excellent save and Mark Delaney crucially stepped in to clear the loose ball behind for a corner.

The home fans' frustration was increasing by the minute - and their feelings were heightened when Hayles chased after a monstrous van der Sar clearance and lobbed Enckelman, only for the ball to land on the roof of his net.

Vassell had a wonderful chance eight minutes from time when Merson skilfully played him into space behind the Fulham back four.

But, in keeping with the finishing on display this afternoon, he shot tamely straight at van der Sar.

Enckelman made a great block at the feet of Hayles in the last minute.

Teams:

Fulham: Van der Sar, Finnan, Melville, Goma, Harley, Legwinski, Knight (Goldbaek 63), Malbranque, Saha, Hayles, Marlet.

Subs Not Used: Taylor, Ouaddou, Trollope, Willock.

Booked: Saha.

Aston Villa: Enckelman, Delaney, Mellberg, Samuel, Staunton, Hadji, Merson, Boateng, Hendrie (Stone 86), Vassell, Angel (Kachloul 77).

Subs Not Used: Wright, Dublin, Myhill.

Booked: Hadji, Boateng.

Att: 20,041

Ref: M Messias (York).