West Bromwich Albion failed to make their dominance count in a goalless first half of their FA Cup quarter-final with Aston Villa this evening.
Brown Ideye missed the Baggies' best chance in the opening 45 minutes at Villa Park as he blasted over with his left foot following a perfect Craig Gardner cross.
Strike partner Saido Berahino also had an early opportunity to give the visitors the lead as he shot low and hard straight at Shay Given after running away from Ciaran Clark.
Given, again recalled at the expense of Brad Guzan for cup duty, had to be alert to backtrack and tip a deflected Chris Brunt volley over the crossbar moments after he comfortably saved Ideye's header.
Villa are missing injured striker Christian Benteke, who scored the stoppage-time winner in this week's Premier League instalment of the Midlands derby, and struggled to create any openings despite Fabian Delph's best efforts.
