Knight: Zat's the way I like it

Aston Villa defender Zat Knight admits his last-ditch equaliser against Arsenal was the perfect antidote to months of personal frustration – but insists he has no right to complain about a lack of first-team chances with the side flying so high.

Villa fan Knight, 28, has found first-team opportunities limited under Martin O’Neill with Martin Laursen and Curtis Davies the manager’s favoured central defensive pairing.

However, with captain Laursen out for up to four weeks with a knee injury, Knight seized his chance in yesterday’s crucial clash with fellow Champions League contenders by producing a good performance and thrilling injury-time strike to earn a 2-2 draw.

The Birmingham-born defender, who is set to retain his place for Tuesday’s trip to Hull, said: “Everyone trains hard so that when you are called upon you are ready.

“It’s more about the mental side as well, and I see myself as a seasoned pro now – I am better able to look after myself because you never know what will happen.

“The manager didn’t say anything to me before the game. But looking around the dressing room, I was the only fit centre-half.

“I just had to make sure I got my head right.”

Knight added: “It has been very frustrating but I have never had a reason to knock on the gaffer’s door because the team has been doing so well.

“If I had knocked on it I would have probably had it slapped back in my face!

“The team has done tremendously and it has been nice for me to come in and fill Martin’s place and keep our run going.

“He is going to be missing for the next few games, and hopefully I can come in and do a good job.”

Villa had found themselves 2-0 down at home to the north Londoners after dominating the first half and spurning several chances.

But after goals by Denilson and Abou Diaby against the run of play, Villa regrouped and roared back in style with a penalty by Gareth Barry before Knight’s stoppage-time equaliser.

“The manager said to me afterwards: ’That was a great strike!’ Knight said. ”It was nice to get the goal but the whole team worked for it. I don’t want to take all the glory.

“We came back from 2-0 down against Arsenal and that just shows the fighting spirit we have.

“It has been a long road this season. It was great to keep our run alive and to get a goal like that against Arsenal feels tremendous.

“It was in front of the Holte End too – I will never forget it, I don’t know when my bubble will burst!”

Villa are proving to be genuine contenders to break the ’big four’ stranglehold in the Premier League and the draw with Arsenal ensured they maintained a three-point lead over Arsene Wenger’s side as they both compete to secure a Champions League berth.

O’Neill justifiably claimed his side performed well enough to have won the match – but insisted he would have been delighted with them even if they had not managed to equalise.

“I thought we were absolutely outstanding in the first half, we could have been four or five goals in front. That’s no exaggeration. We were absolutely brilliant,” he said.

“It was an exceptional performance in the first half and we were a goal behind. It was really hard to take. But it was brilliant not just in spirit and determination but also in ability. We came roaring back into it, we got the penalty and we definitely deserved the equaliser, it was a long time coming.

“Even had we not got the late equaliser, I could not have been more proud of the team.”

O’Neill added: “I thought they were terrific. And there’s a great atmosphere at the football club. Not only at the football club generally but at the ground today. Villa was really rocking and I thought the crowd were fantastic for us.”