By Dan Harrison

Fearless. Dependable. Absolutely heroic.

By the time this season comes to a close, us reporters will have run out of superlatives to describe Villa's defensive mean machine.

What's more, behind them they have a goalkeeper who time and time again proves he is among the very best.

For the second consecutive weekend, Villa emerged unblemished from a formidable away assignment in the capital.

This time they earned a valuable point against one of their closest rivals in the upper reaches of the Barclays Premier League.

And it was in no small part down to the brilliance of their defensive quartet along with goalkeeper Brad Friedel - all of whom were simply immense.

Richard Dunne and James Collins lead the fight once again as Villa demonstrated the defensive brilliance from which their success this season has been built on.

But Friedel will deservedly take his share of the plaudits for a magnificent display.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp predicted an open, attacking affair and there was plenty in the first 45 minutes to support his theory.

In fact, the highlights of the opening period were sensational saves from both keepers.

Friedel blocked former Villa striker Peter Crouch's close range effort on 18 minutes, after some clever interplay between the England international and Luka Modric.

At that point, Spurs were enjoying a wealth of possession and Friedel had to be alert again to keep out Tom Huddlestone's low 20-yard drive.

But it wasn't long before the home goalkeeper got in on the act. James Milner took up a threatening position on the edge of the area and teed himself up for a low, rasping shot.

It appeared destined for the bottom corner but Heurelho Gomes was at full stretch to keep it out. In a flash, the Spurs stopper jumped to his feet to charge down substitute John Carew's follow-up.

Although the White Hart Lane crowd had seen plenty of superb shot-stopping, Friedel's save four minutes before the break eclipsed everything that had preceded it.

The American quickly threw himself across goal to get a strong hand to King's instinctive flick after Crouch headed Bentley's chipped ball back into the danger area.

Having been on the back foot for long spells of the first period, Villa looked to dictate the early stages of the second and were almost rewarded when Gabby Agbonlahor was fouled on the edge of the box.

Stewart Downing went for goal with the resulting free-kick but his curling strike sailed wide of the up right.

Ten minutes later, Ashley Young produced a carbon copy effort after Ledley King fouled Carew in a similar position.

Carew used his strength later in the half to hold off King but the Norwegian couldn't get enough power in his close-range attempt.

There were some nervy moments for the claret and blue faithful to endure in the final 15 minutes.

Friedel came to the rescue to foil David Bentley when the winger twisted and turned before firing a left-foot effort across goal.

Jermain Defoe had a penalty shout waived away after a challenge from Stiliyan Petrov.

And when Huddlestone's corner was knocked into the path of Crouch, the forward produced a cheeky back-heel which trickled inches wide.

But Villa kept their composure to keep fourth straight top-flight clean sheet.