Villa’s Dunne chooses not to celebrate goal against former club Man City

Villa defender chooses not to celebrate goal in the drawn game against former club Man City

Villa's Dunne chooses not to celebrate goal against former club Man City

Villa defender chooses not to celebrate goal in the drawn game against former club Man City

Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne chose not to celebrate his goal against Manchester City yesterday because he thought it would be disrespectful to do so.

Dunne opened the scoring against his former club at Villa Park after 15 minutes, but City levelled after 67 minutes to claim a point and move into the top four of the Premier League.

The Republic of Ireland defender told ESPN: "I don't have a celebration when I score it's usually a surprise.

"I really enjoyed my time at City and I really respect the club and the fans and [not celebrating] seemed the right thing to do.

"It just seems to happen playing against your former club, people seem to score. I wasn't expecting to score tonight."

He added: "Unfortunately we couldn't go on from there and get the second.

"Manchester City are a real good team and they're going to push the top four this season.

"We feel we've got as much chance as teams like Man City, Everton, Tottenham - we feel we're as good as them."

Dunne felt either side could have claimed a winner in the closing stages.

"It was difficult but I don't think it was a case of holding out," he said. "We had opportunities as well.

"After the goal the last 25 minutes was quite even so I think both sides would have been happy with a draw."

City boss Mark Hughes felt there was an inevitability about Dunne's goal.

"That was the story that was always going to be written," he told ESPN.

"We're pleased 'Dunny' has come to another club and he's doing well.

"We'd have preferred he hadn't scored against us."

Hughes felt his side could have snatched all three points in a tense finish.

"In the second half we were starting to get a real foothold in the game, were in the ascendancy and looked the team more likely to get maximum points," he said.

"At times we left ourselves open to the counter-attack but we were really positive.

"Maybe down the line we'll see it as a good point but we always want three.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill also felt his side's showing warranted three points. "Over the course of the game I'm disappointed with the result, but not with the performance."

"The team were absolutely fantastic. I would have loved to have got three points but I'm pleased with the side and pleased with the crowd."