West Brom head coach Tony Pulis has leapt to the defence of Ben Foster following the goalkeeper’s error-strewn performance in Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa.
The 31-year-old former Manchester United and Birmingham City shot-stopper conceded a late penalty from which Christian Benteke scored Villa’s last-gasp winner and earlier was only saved by goal-line technology after spilling a simple shot from Gabby Agbonlahor.
Foster, who has made 81 Premier League appearances for the Baggies following his £4million transfer from Birmingham in the summer of 2012, has enjoyed a fine campaign, and Pulis is in no mood to condemn the England international.
The ex-Stoke City and Crystal Palace boss said: “People will talk about Ben but the thing is he has been absolutely fantastic for us all season.
“Let’s not forget he’s saved us points and won us games. He’s also kept a lot of clean sheets too, as has the defence. He’s had an off-night but there’ll be nobody at this football club who will criticise Ben.”
Albion will be looking to gain revenge on Saturday when they head to Villa Park for the second time in a week, this time for an FA Cup quarter-final fixture.
West Brom are 2.69 to win the match while Tim Sherwood’s Villa side can be backed at 2.64 to come out on top.
Foster made his England debut against Spain just over eight years ago and has gone on to represent his country on seven more occasions, most recently in the goalless draw with Costa Rica at last summer’s World Cup.
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