It was another derby nightmare for a Villa keeper after Peter Enckelman’s own goal at St Andrews two seasons ago after failing to clear a throw-in from skipper Olof Mellberg.

But Steele is backing Denmark international Sorensen, who has been in outstanding form for Villa since joining from Sunderland 18 months ago, to put his howler behind him.

He said: “Thomas will bounce back. He is a good professional, an international keeper. You can count on one hand the mistakes he has made since he has been here.

“He will be disappointed but the good thing from my point of view is that he responded immediately and made a good save very quickly afterwards from David Dunn when in on goal.

“That’s the sort of character you need. That’s experience. At half-time we had a two minute chat, then it’s over and you start again. I am confident that it won’t play on his mind.

“Of course, he will be disappointed but Thomas will recover from this. I’ve got no doubts. He is a strong character and that’s what you have to be.

“You can analyse it all you want but he puts his hand up, says ’my fault’ and we move on. Keepers go from hero to zero in one minute.”

Sorensen has already revealed his desire to extend his stay at Villa Park beyond his current contract which has 18 months remaining.