Saunders saves face for Villa

TOP SCORER Dean Saunders saved Aston Villa from sliding to a fifth successive Premiership defeat after they conceded a goal right out of a "Comedy of Errors".

Saunders struck to net a fifth league goal of the season and salvage a point for Ron Atkinson's side before they embark on a potentially troublesome task against the Turks of Trabzonspor on Tuesday.

The striker's 62 minute equaliser was just the tonic Villa needed before their UEFA Cup journey into the unknown after they had fallen behind to Mike Milligan’s extraordinary effort.

Villa will go all season without conceding a more comical goal than the one that they let in after 50 minutes following a period of pin-ball activity in their penalty area.

Keeper Mark Bosnich, blamed for Liverpool's winner in the defeat at Anfield last week, caused the initial problem when he failed to cut-out a chip by Mark Robin.

The ball fell to Darren Eadie who somehow hit the post with the net gaping. Then Mike Sheron even more amazingly put the follow-up onto the crossbar from practically on the goalline.

Eadie thew saw his second strike kicked off the line by Kevin Richardson, but Villa failed to take advantage of their triple escape as they allowed another cross to come from which Mike Milligan heeded home.

Bosnich atoned for his error when he saved an Eadie shot low down, while Staunton tested Gunn with another long range effort at the other ed.

Then Saunders saw his cross just elude Parker and second-half substitute Guy Whittingbas before rolling inches wide of the post.

Ehiogu nearly matched a dramatic injury-time winner with a header off the post.