By Paul Brown

Nathan Delfouneso insists there was no chance of Villa collapsing after twice falling two goals behind - because there's too much desire and determination in the squad.

Villa were 2-0 and 3-1 down at points during the exciting clash but Delfouneso revealed the team spirit and never-say-die attitude of the claret and blue troops was always going to come to the fore.

He told AVTV: "It was a really good comeback. Some teams would have just collapsed. But this side would never do that - we have too many players with terrific determination and desire.

"We got our just rewards at the end. We managed a draw and it could even have been a win. A lot of people wouldn't have given us a prayer when we were two goals behind."

Delfouneso even had a couple of chances at the death - firing at Tim Howard when well-placed and just failing to reach a cracking James Milner centre.

He added: "It was exciting to come on. It was so important to get up to the tempo of the game because we were really fighting to get back at that point.

"It was important to be lively because I had no time to ease myself into the game. I needed to get involved.

"I had a chance at the end and I thought I was a little unlucky because Tim Howard made a good save. I could have taken it a little further but I wanted to catch him out but he did well.

"I nearly got on to the end of a chance right at the end too. I bet people were holding their breath at that point but I just couldn't reach it."