MILLERS boss Paul Warne was quick to give credit to his battling side, who pushed Aston Villa all the way, before goals either side of the interval from Tammy Abraham and Yannick Bolasie settled the Villa Park clash in the home side’s favour.
Abraham gave Steve Bruce’s side an interval lead but the Millers came within a whisker of silencing the home faithful, in the second half, when sub Jon Taylor headed into the side netting before skipper Richard Wood glanced an effort narrowly wide of the target.
With the game on a knife-edge, Bolasie eased home nerves when he stooped low to head home from close range to ensure Warne’s men made the journey home empty-handed.
Speaking to the assembled press corps afterwards, Warne believed his side could count themselves unlucky not to be leaving England’s second city – with a share of the spoils, following a valiant display.
“They can’t give me much more. They performed really well and went toe-to-toe for the majority of the game,” Warne stressed.
“We got done with a bit of quality for the first goal. I thought we were significantly better in the second half and we had a lot more confidence on the ball, which is what we wanted.
“We created a few half-chances and I thought we would be the next team to score, until they scored the second goal and then the game just fizzled out.”
Despite Warne’s side still looking for their first away points for the season, the Millers boss feels that the manner of his side’s display at Villa Park bodes well ahead of their weekend visit to Nottingham Forest.
“We are well aware that when you go away from home that you have to stay in the game and at 1-0, we were still in it,” Warne added.
“The lads gave me everything they have got. We are trying to get better every week and I feel we are making improvements.
“If we would have nicked a point, I don’t think many people in the stadium could have moaned about it. I’m really proud of what they have given me and that’s all I can ask.”