Benitez saluted his defence after they kept out Villa in a tight 0-0 draw in the Premier League.

Both sides had few chances during the match thanks to some stubborn defending.

"In the first half, both teams had more or less the same opportunities and in the second half I thought we started well," Benitez told Sky Sports 1.

"In the last 15 minutes, they were pushing quite a lot. It was a game that we could have won and so could they have done.

"It is not that we should have finished quicker. I think you have to give credit to the defenders."

Benitez also confirmed the signing of Spanish winger Albert Riera from Espanyol was "nearly done".

Villa captain Martin Laursen said that keeping a clean sheet was the most satisfying part of the match.

"It would have been nice to score, but they had a good chance with Robbie Keane. Overall it was an equal match but one point is okay," said the Danish defender.

"It is nice to get a clean sheet having conceded five in the first two games. That was the biggest plus point from today."

Villa manager O'Neill was happy that his side came away from the encounter with a point.

"It was a tough game and I thought they have come here and played a physical game," O'Neill said.

"I think that's probably the right result. We have a habit of scoring goals so I think we keeping a clean sheet is an absolute positive for us."