ASTON VILLA dropped two more points as their former player Guy Whittingham scored one goal and made the other to earn struggling Sheffield Wednesday a draw.

But Wednesday’s inspiration was Italian Paulo Di Canio, whose skill and trickery tormented Villa from the start to finish of the 90 minutes.

Villa manager Brian Little must be concerned with the way his defence was pulled apart far too easily with a UEFA Cup return against the swift counter-attacking forwards of Bordeaux to follow on Tuesday.

Wednesday looked like a side who had conceded 20 goals in their previous eight matches and Villa's man-of-the match, midfielder lan Taylor, scored one goal but could easily have added to his tally with steadier finishing.

Villa opened brightly and Mark Draper drilled a low 20-yard effort inches wide but they looked suspect at the back from the start and were twice rescued by the woodwork in the first ten minutes.

First, Benito Carbone headed Di Canio's centre against the bar and then Whittingham clipped the outside of the post with a curling 20-yard effort.

Wednesday also looked insecure in defence and Taylor turned Dwight Yorke's cross wide at the far post. But a Wednesday goal looked on the cards and it arrived in the 25th minute.

Jim Magilton's deep, hanging cross beyond the far post was headed back across goal by Whittingham to leave Wayne Collins with a simple task to head in from close range.

But Villa equalised spectacular style in the 31st minute with a typically powerful shot from Steve Staunton sailing past Wednesday 'keeper Matt Clarke from 30 yards out via the woodwork.

Villa enjoyed a purple patch in which they might have gone ahead, with Collymore standing on the ball when picked out by Alan Wright's low cross and then Clarke saving a low drive-on-the-turn by Yorke.

But Wednesday exposed Villa's defensive deficiencies again in the 42nd minute. Di Canio turned Fernando Nelson inside out on the left flank before picking out Whittingham at the far post and his header gave Mark Bosnich no chance.

Villa needed only four minutes of the second half to get back on level terms, with Taylor capping a fine performance by hitting the target.

Nelson's centre picked out Taylor. who had time to swivel and plant a low drive past Clarke. The hosts looked for the killer goal. with Collymore and Taylor going close, but at the other end Collins headed wide from close range after more magic from Di Canio.

The home side continued to press and Nelson fired in a viciously swerving 23 yard effort, which crashed into the side netting.

Taylor was denied by Clarke and Milosevic screwed a shot just wide but Wednesday held on for a share of the spoils.