Aston Villa missed the chance to consolidate their fourth place berth following a 0-0 draw against Fulham at Villa Park.
Gareth Barry saw one of his many headers clip the crossbar, but he will have to fine-tune his heading technique on the training ground after a string of misses.
Jimmy Bullard took to wearing gloves, continental style, on a chilly day in the Midlands and his early endeavour enabled Simon Davies to send his long range half volley just wide of the far post with Brad Friedel in attendance.
There is nothing like a draw at Anfield to boost the travelling mood and last week’s result for Roy Hodgson’s side had left them with a spring in their step. Striker Andy Johnson was lively as he eagerly looked for space, but fellow striker Clinton Dempsey was giving a master-class in how not to defend.
Firstly, he was booked for a clumsy challenge on Gareth Barry and then cries for a penalty were declined by the referee as Ashley Young tumbled over with Dempsey in close attendance.
Hodgson looked to have won the tactical battle, in midfield, with his opposite number Martin O’Neill, but Fulham were taking a sharp intake of breath when the home side suddenly started to make inroads down the left flank to gain the ascendancy.
Ashley Young crossed for Barry at the far post who should have buried his header into the back of the net, but his head in hands reaction demonstrated he knew it was a miss to forget with his side desperate to keep hold of that coveted Champions League rendering spot.
Villa were again squandering a golden chance when the unopposed Steve Sidwell missed the target with a header from Ashley Young’s teasing free-kick.
Gabriel Agbonlahor did not get into this match in a big way, but when he did put foot to ball, the decibel count went up a few notches in front of the Holte End.
The punching power of Mark Schwarzer was tested to the full with his mitts and various deflections from team mates forcing a succession of corners for the home team who could still not break the deadlock.
Schwarzer was then a little fortuitous as Barry’s close range header met his outstretched hands and bounced up to clip the crossbar, but Fulham remained intact.
A smash and grab raid looked on the cards for Fulham when the ball fell invitingly to Dempsey on the right side of the penalty area, but his American compatriot Friedel repelled his well struck shot.
There was to be no late winner for either side, and Villa can be kicked out of fourth place if Arsenal win at Chelsea on Sunday.
Star Man: Ashley Young (8/10). Some sublime deliveries from set-pieces and other movements could not be capitalised on by his colleagues. Click here for player ratings and Opta stats.