Manager salutes Dunne

Aston Villa 1, Manchester City 1
MARK HUGHES praised the reaction of the Manchester City fans towards the club’s former captain Richard Dunne after he scored for Aston Villa in the 1–1 draw at Villa Park.

Dunne rose above Gareth Barry to head home a cross from Stephen Warnock after 15 minutes.

But he chose not to celebrate and received rapturous applause from the supporters City where he spent nine years as a player.

Hughes said: “The City fans were fantastic in terms of the reception that they gave to Richard. He was a fantastic player over many years for City during the good and the bad times. Our supporters recognised that fact and it was really special.”

In contrast, the Villa fans constantly booed their former midfielder Barry on his first return since a £12million move to Eastlands.

Hughes revealed that Barry ended the game with a stiff back but does not believe he will be doubtful for England’s World Cup qualifiers with Ukraine and Belarus.

Craig Bellamy salvaged a point for City by scoring midway through the second half and Hughes claimed: “He is playing out of his skin at the moment.

“It doesn’t matter what position I use him in, he is still having a positive impact on the game and it was the same tonight.

“He is playing with great confidence. He always thinks he is the best player and most of the time he has been.”

Villa boss Martin O’Neill said: “I did not want half–time to come because we were so strong at that stage of proceedings. In the end I was disappointed with the result but not the performance.”

Dunne was voted Villa’s man of the match by their supporters among the 37,000 crowd and O’Neill said: “He was immense for us.

“He was determined to play well and his celebrations went down well because he did not celebrate at all.

“He is a great character and already he has given us all a lift here.”