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​West Bromwich Albion manager Ron Atkinson went to considerable lengths to defend Peter Barnes after his embarrassing flop in the rousing high quality local derby against Aston Villa writes lAN WILLARS.

"He didn't play well. But, to be fair, he wasn't given much of the ball," said a discreet Atkinson after watching his side battle to a goalless draw with their Villa Park rivals.

Atkinson was being more than kind to his 22-year old England winger. Albion's players had their own thoughts on Barnes's performance. After seeing his aimless wanderings in the first half they just didn't bother to pass the ball to him.

Sickening

Barnes, a club record £600,000 signing from Manchester City before the season started, agreed that he had performed badly. "It was a very sickening afternoon. I know I had a bad game," he said.

"But my role is to stay wide and it can be difficult in a cut and thrust game like this when you do not get much of the ball."

"It had nothing to do with there being an England match next week. For anyone to suggest that as a reason is being ridiculous."

But after playing with so little commitment or thought for his team-mates Barnes must be thankful that England team manager Ron Greenwood was not around. If he had been, his place in the European Championship game against Northern Ireland in Belfast on Wednesday might have been at risk.

The infuriating thing is that Barnes is a good player. But unless he learns to take a more direct part in the proceedings he could become a costly misfit.

If only he had taken a lead from skipper John Wile, who shepherded his team through to a point when brave Villa were threatening to win the game.

There were plenty of other examples, too. Robson, Statham, Godden, Owen and Deehan they each fought tirelessly throughout.

Villa had their heroes too. New £300,000 striker David Geddis led his attack with spirit and style and he received excellent support from teenager Shaw. In midfield Villa had the edge with Cowans, Bremner and Mortimer playing the more inventive and incisive football.

But Villa perhaps threw away their best winning chance when Albion strangely kept Robertson on the field for 18 agonising minutes after he had damaged an ankle. It was clear he was just a hobbling passenger.

Villa just failed to take the initiative, although referee Hough seemed to err on the side of leniency when Wile floored Geddis in the area. Many other referees would have awarded a penalty.

Cowans squandered two chances after this and it seemed that Villa's current goal famine they have scored in only two of their last nine contests was going to be their undoing again. And so it transpired.

Best moments

Albion's best moments came after the interval with Owen hitting a post and Deehan heading Robson's 59th minute free kick into the net only for it to be disallowed for pushing. It was still a glorious attacking spectacle on a rain-sodden pitch, despite the lack of goals.

What a pity though, that the game passed Barnes by.