LUTON'S Marvin Johnson chose the last game before Christmas to hand Villa the perfect gift.

And his 61st minute own-goal was such a stunner that even the Villa players were too shocked to celebrate.

The 20-year-old defender tried to clear a harmless high ball but to miskicked it backwards and high into his own net.

If Villa's equaliser was met with a ghostly silence, Luton' s first-half goal nearly brought the house down.

Johnson started a five man move that swept the ball the full length of the pitch for Roy Wegerle to turn in his sixth goal in six games.

Luton keeper Les Sealey rarely had a shot to save, while Steve Foster gave, the First Division's leading marksman, Alan Mclnally, a torrid time.

The Hatters' burly forward Mick Harford was also a constant worry to the Villa defence with his running and tackles.

And Kingsley Black and Danny Wilson both had fine chances to put the game beyond the visitors’ reach.