Speed died at his home on the outskirts of Chester on Sunday, with sources confirming he was found hanged, and tributes have poured in for the former Leeds, Everton, Newcastle, Bolton and Sheffield United midfielder. Cheshire Police said on Monday the inquest into his death will be opened at Warrington Coroner's Court on Tuesday at 3pm. Given the overwhelming sense of sadness at Speed's death it was perhaps no surprise that Sunday's Liberty Stadium contest was a subdued affair. Rodgers, whose side could have snatched a late winner through substitute Leroy Lita, admitted there would have been little enthusiasm for any celebrations had there been a winner in south Wales, and was happy enough to pick up a hard-earned point. "It was maybe fitting it was a point each," he said. "We maybe weren't at the top of our game, which was understandable, but I thought we had enough good moments in the game to have got something. But it would have been difficult to celebrate after such shocking news. "Every point in this league is vital, we weren't at our most fluid but we still created enough chances and to have six clean sheets in 13 games is no mean feat at this level. "We had to make changes with injuries which stopped us changing the game as time went on but I am very proud of what our players achieved against one of the top established teams in British football." Rodgers paid particular tribute to his Wales contingent of Neil Taylor, Joe Allen and Ashley Williams, who all played just hours after the death of their national team boss was confirmed. He said: "I spoke to the lads before the game and I pulled them in again afterwards. It was hard for them, of course, to lose someone like that. "They've had a fantastic spell with Gary. He's done an incredible job. He and I spoke quite a lot. The style he was looking to bring in was a big part with our players playing in it. "I thought the players' performance level considering that was unbelievable. "Ashley Williams was incredible, immense. It was difficult with little Joe because he's a real thinker, he did great but I could see before the game it affected him. "All three are strong characters. How the three of them performed like they did was incredible. It was a sombre day and it was hard to take in." Taylor said he and his team-mates had played as a mark of respect for Wales' most-capped outfield player. "I don't think it's sunk in but having the game takes your mind off it but it also allows you to pay your respects by playing the game he loved so much. "He was a great football man, we spoke about all the games he played and he was going to become a great manager with Wales. We just wanted to play to pay our respects." Taylor was one of four Swansea players to pick up injuries yesterday, and Rodgers faces an anxious wait to see if the full-back Danny Graham, Nathan Dyer and Angel Rangel are available to face Blackburn on Saturday. Villa had Wales defender James Collins in their side while goalkeeper Shay Given, who played with Speed at Newcastle, was in tears as the match got under way. And manager Alex McLeish admitted he had been concerned over their ability to play so soon after hearing of Speed's death. McLeish said: "I was worried about that. There was that minute's silence that turned into applause and I was worried about losing Given. "James Collins was white as a sheet and Jermaine Jenas played as his midfield partner at Newcastle so these guys were extremely distraught." Villa had chances of their own to claim the three points but remain without an away win so far this term. Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm twice denied man-of-the-match Gabriel Agbonlahor before Chris Herd headed wide from close range in the closing stages. And while McLeish was pleased to see his side respond after their 2-0 defeat to Tottenham, he felt with a bit more belief the result could have gone their way. "With a wee bit more conviction we could have won. Chris had a great chance with his header, he is normally deadly there but he put it wide of the post."
