The Villans are still unbeaten in the Premier League after the 0-0 draw against their Midlands rivals, but would have hoped to have recorded a victory in front of their home fans.

“We were getting in good positions but didn’t get enough service to main man Darren Bent again,” bemoaned McLeish to Sky Sports after the match.

“He is a bit frustrated in the dressing room now, but it only takes one chance for him and he so very nearly won it for us late on.

“[Wolves boss] Mick McCarthy made changes, he had defensive midfielders to draw on and that took the sting out of the game, it stopped our momentum - no doubt about it - so it was a good choice he made.

“I thought in the second half we were in full control of the game and we flashed a few balls across the face of goal. There were a few shooting opportunities even in the first half that we reneged on, but in the second period we mis-kicked or pulled our shots a lot. [Gabriel] Agbonlahor had one, [Charles] N’Zogbia had two or three.”

Villa were improved in all aspects after the break, which McLeish was happy about after making some tactical alterations at half-time.

He added: “We said there were one or two things that were troubling us at half-time, we tightened up on them at the break which made a difference and made us much more solid.

“The players also just stepped it up a gear, got on top of the Wolves players and never allowed them a minute’s rest. I think that gave us a bit of the edge and certainly more of the territory.”

Halkaan ka Daawo