Mark Bosnich sprang to Villa’s rescue with a brilliant penalty save last night.

Villa were stating at potential disaster after only three minutes when Paul McGrath’s mistake let in Majarin, who was tripped by Shaun Teale as he surged into the box.

French referee Marc Batta had no hesitation in pointing to the spot - but the Australian international dived full length to his left to push round Brazilian star Bebeto’s kick,

It was a huge let off for Villa, and Bosnich was mobbed by delighted team-mates.

Bosnich is developing the happy knack of stopping penalties.

He had tasted just six minutes of senior action this term when he blocked Birmingham City skipper John Frain's spot-kick in their Coca- Cola Cup first leg.

Villa boss Ron Atkinson reckons that 21-year old Bosnich, briefly on the books of Manchester United as a teenager, can emerge as one of the world's best.

And Bosnich underlined Big Ron's sky-high rating with another fine save after six minutes, when Villa allowed Fran time and space to look up for a low shot from the edge of the area.

Andy Townsend hit a drive which was punched round by Coruna keeper Liano as Villa showed their teeth for the first time.

Dean Saunders should have put Villa in front after 26 minutes, when a Coruna clearance rebounded off Dalian Atkinson.

The ball floated over the head of Yugoslav keeper Dujic, but Saunders stabbed his effort wide from only seven yards with the Spaniards fearing the worst.

Teale proved he had not lost his nerve because of that early penalty with a split-second tackle on Manjarin early in the second half which was fraught with danger.

Bosnich continued his impressive European debut with good positioning to hold Fran's low shot.

Next Bosnich plunged bravely at Majarin's feet, as the striker raced on to Fran's pass.

McGrath stepped in to thwart another Coruna attack on the hour, neatly cutting out Rekarte's low centre from the right.

Saunders put Villa ahead in 78 minutes after Atkinson set him up. But Riesko equalised for La Coruna in 87 minutes.