West Bromwich Albion and 10-man Aston Villa are halfway towards a goalless draw in this afternoon's Premier League clash at The Hawthorns.
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After a tentative start from both sides, the first concrete chance on goal fell to the hosts on the quarter-hour mark, as they saw Sebastien Pocognoli force a smart save from Brad Guzan at his near post.
Controversy then befell the game as Villa's Kieran Richardson was sent off for a challenge on Stephane Sessegnon, with the former Baggies man deemed to have shown his studs as he clattered into the midfielder.
Alan Irvine's charges dominated possession thereafter, with Andre Wisdom's cross nearly falling to the recalled Brown Ideye just after the half-hour mark.
At the other end, however, Gabriel Agbonlahor had a good chance for Villa, but his effort was charged down near goal in the 38th minute.
Just before injury time, Guzan pulled off a fine save to deny Sessegnon's first-time shot, following good work by Pocognoli.
Giuseppe Labellarte
