1-1

*Battling City deny Villa*

Villa and Manchester City served up a festive feast but had to be content with a share of the spoils following a 1-1 draw.

A point apiece was a fair reflection of an exciting encounter with both sides contributing to the entertainment.

City grabbed an 11th minute lead after Martin Petrov’s wicked cross was bundled in by Italian striker Rolando Bianchi.

But the advantage lasted just three minutes before John Carew levelled for the hosts. The Norwegian striker fended off the challenge of Richard Dunne and his deflected shot flew beyond Joe Hart in the City goal.

The second half produced little in the way of clear-cut opportunities leaving Sven Goran Eriksson the happier of the two managers.

*Laursen dominant*

Villa have now gone four games without a win and collected just two points since picking up a maximum nine during a three game away run.

But there were enough encouraging signs for them not to be too downcast via the power of Carew and the pace and trickery of Ashley Young while at the back Martin Laursen dominated in the air.

City were indebted to sterling back four performances from Micah Richards and Dunne while Gelson Fernandes was the pick of their midfield players but there was little spark up front.

City started brightly and Elano saw his dipping effort turned around the post by Scott Carson.

It came as no surprise when Bianchi put Eriksson’s side ahead with his fifth goal of the campaign. Elano found Petrov in space on the left flank and he had time to steady himself before picking out the run of Bianchi who made no mistake from close range.

Villa quickly retaliated and after 14 minutes Carew used his power and pace to bring them back on level terms with his fourth goal of the season.

A through ball from Reo-Coker almost played in Carew again but this time Richards came across to retrieve the situation for City.

*Ball clearance*

Villa stepped up a gear and an inswinging Gareth Barry free-kick was met by Laursen whose goalbound header was cleared by Michael Ball.

The Danish international then had a header deflected just over the bar from close range by Dunne from a Young corner.

Gabriel Agbonlahor should have given Villa the lead when he found himself completely unmarked in front of goal after a deep Young corner had evaded everyone.

But the England Under-21 player failed to make a full contact and Elano was able to hook off the line. Villa protested in vain that the ball had crossed the goal-line before the clearance was completed.

Carew was looking dangerous and he forced Hart to finger-tip a powerful drive onto the far post after being released by Agbonlahor as Villa took control of the game.

City midfielder Dietmar Hamann became the first player to be yellow-carded after 38 minutes for bringing down Agbonlahor in full flight.

City were the first to threaten in the second half with Vassell just to high with a far post header from Petrov’s cross.

*Agbonlahor effort*

But Villa were soon back on top and Agbonlahor showed good skill to flick the ball over Dunne and would have been disappointed to drag his shot wide.

Villa manager Martin O’Neill was incensed when referee Lee Mason did not award a free-kick after a challenge by Fernandes on Carew and threw his water bottle to the ground in disgust after Barry was booked for dissent.

Fernandes was yellow carded for hauling down Agbonlahor as Villa began to build up the momentum again.

Young was becoming an increasing threat and Ball was booked for bringing him down just outside the City box. Maloney took the resulting free-kick which Hart saved to his right at a comfortable height.

The cautions were coming thick and fast with Vassell picking one up for a foul on Laursen.

Villa looked more likely to take all three points and Hart reacted quickly to race out of his area and block Agbonlahor’s shot.