Bent avoids home defeat for Villa (1-1)

Paul Lambert’s men were held to a 1-1 draw with West Brom in the Midlands' derby at Villa Park, on Sunday, with Darren Bent coming off the bench to secure a vital point for struggling Villa.

Even though the first period ended goalless at Villa Park, it was a tight half with chances at a premium.

The best opportunity belonged to the hosts in the 41^st minute. Albrighton broke forward finding Holman on the opposite flank and the Australian twisted and turned before firing an effort that deflected off Olsson, but Foster was focused and palmed the ball away.

Second-half

The hosts continued pressing forward from the beginning of the second period, with Holman trying to pass Popov, but he conceded a free kick instead. But it was the visiting side that opened the scoring.

In the 51^st minute, James Morrison beat the offside trap and sent in a cross that Vlaar could only divert into the path of Shane Long, who hit home from a close range.

Villa tried to respond immediately with Holman getting down the right and pulling the ball across the box, but Tamas launched into a superb block, while Albrighton could not get onto the rebound.

Paul Lambert decided to replace Benteke with Darren Bent, in the 68^th minute and it was the England striker who secured the point for the home side scoring the equaliser.

The 28-year-old hit home with a left-footed strike sealing the 1-1 draw at Villa Park, with only ten minutes left till the end of the match.