But he warned future opponents to be wary of the reaction of the Blues wounded players.
City slipped to third after a fifth league defeat this season thanks to Darren Bent’s 18th minute piece of expert poaching. And with manager Roberto Mancini hurrying away to visit his father in Italy it was left to one of his right hand men to react to the loss.
“We knew it would be tough nut we made life hard for ourselves,” declared Kidd.
“In the first half we were disappointing. There was not enough urgency. For whatever reason, we looked a little lacklustre.
We took too many touches on the ball and didn’t shift it quickly enough
...Brian Kidd
“In the second half we were much better and set Villa a severe examination but the goal just wouldn’t come. It was a great defensive performance from them.
“We will get up and go again. Our aim at the start of the season was to finish in the top four and get Champions League football and that is still the aim.
“The response when we lost to Everton was very good and I am sure it will be again from the lads. We have lost twice in 18 games in all competitions so we are not doing badly.
Gerard Houllier, meanwhile, wore the look of a relieved man after Howard Webb’s whistle ended a second half siege and sent his side leaping up a congested lower half of the table.
And the thankful Frenchman’s joy was reflected in his post-match words in which he had high praise for defeated City.
“All our players worked very hard for each other and their work rate, spirit and sacrifice was outstanding and we must congratulate them on that,” he said.
“We have beaten a great team and we appreciate so much. We think City are a very good side. We had luck but we showed talent too.”
