RAFA: WE SHOWED GOOD CHARACTER
Steve Hunter at Villa Park 31 August 2008
Rafael Benitez praised the character of his side after they overcame the first-half loss of Fernando Torres to claim a point at Villa Park.
The Reds boss admitted he was satisfied with a 0-0 draw after a high octane encounter in which both sides had chances to win it.
"I think it was a tough game but we could have won it and we also could have lost it, so at the end of the day a point is good for both teams," said Benitez.
"Clearly when you are without Gerrard and after you lose Torres it is always a problem but the team was always working hard and it's a credit to the players.
"It was a pity today because we could have won the game so it could have been better but it's not bad to get a point here.
"We could see that Mascherano and Lucas Leiva are fantastic players with a very good mentality after returning from the Olympic Games. That's the positive thing for us.
"It's positive for us now that there is an international break now and at least we will have time to see if Gerrard and Torres can be back."
Benitez felt his team could have gone on to snatch all three points after an improved second-half display and lamented the referee's decision not to award Robbie Keane a spot-kick after the forward went down under a challenge from Curtis Davies.
"After watching the replay it could have been a penalty," said Benitez. "The position of the referee wasn't the best and it happened so quickly. It could have been a penalty but I'm not complaining."
The boss also defended his decision to substitute the Reds number seven after the Ireland international endured another frustrating afternoon in a red shirt.
"He was working really hard. I was trying to use another player with fresh legs in Yossi Benayoun for the final 15 minutes," he said.
"Robbie did a very good job for the team. He started the game on the left side in the first half and then I put him through the middle as a second striker. He was always working well for the team and trying to make things happen for us.
"David Ngog started really well when he came on. He is a player with quality and he had a good chance in the first half. He is a player that can keep the ball and has clever movements.
Meanwhile, Benitez confirmed the deal to sign Espanyol midfielder Albert Riera is close, and he also refused to rule out any more new additions before the transfer window closes.
"The deal is nearly done and hopefully it will be on Monday," he added. "I have confidence. It will be good for us because he is a good player and he will give us balance. In terms of bringing in other players if we can do a deal then we will try."