Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Aston Villa

While Villa continues to climb towards the top, the Wolves managed to stay away from the relegation zone, after a frenzied scrap for local bragging rights, in which neither team was good enough to merit all three points.

Gabriel Agbonlahor swivelled in the box to shoot his sixth goal in eight games taking Villa into a 79th-minute lead. But three minutes later, Wolves hit back when Steve Sidwell brought down Michael Kightly in the box, allowing Sylvan Ebanks-Blake to salvage a point with an emphatically-struck penalty.

To their credit, Wolverhampton’s committed and tenacious performance, denied Villa the time and space they needed, especially in the attacking third of the pitch.

Agbonlahor missed a wonderful chance to shoot Villa to the lead in the first 90 seconds but his weak jolt shot the ball right at the Wolves Keeper.

In the third minute, Richard Dunne held back Kevin Doyle well inside the 18-yards line and got away with it. Villa were fortunate enough here, given that their centre-half was the last defender and could have been sent off.

Wolves' reprieve came in similar circumstances, 20 minutes later; when Christophe Berra wrestled John Carew off the ball, well inside the area.

Villa began the second half on the offensive and a cross from Young picked out Sidwell, but his downward header was weak and did not trouble Hennessey.

But to the big Irishman's relief, the first goal was not delayed long; Heskey setting up Agbonlahor, who was allowed to turn, eight yards out, before scoring in emphatic style.

Villa thought they had won again, but with time running out, James Collins scythed down Michael Kightly and Ebanks-Blake blasted the penalty into the roof of the net.