Aston Villa failed to give caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald a winning send-off as Bolton secured a well-deserved draw.

MacDonald, who will be replaced by Gerard Houllier on Monday, saw his side go ahead when Ashley Young curled in a free-kick from 25 yards.

Bolton stayed in contention though and equalised before the break when Kevin Davies pulled down a Martin Petrov cross and fired high into the net.

Petrov saw two shots blocked for the visitors but Villa held on at the end.

The result was something of an anti-climax after an entertaining game that will give both club’s coaching staff much to ponder - particularly Houllier and his new assistant Gary McAllister, who were both in the stands at Villa Park.

Despite fielding a side full of youthful talent and creating numerous chances, the hosts were never able to take full control and failed to maintain their dominance over Bolton at home in recent seasons.

Wanderers boss Owen Coyle went into the match aware his side had not beaten Villa since 2006, but the Scot will surely feel content with a point after a solid counter-attacking display - particularly with last week’s 4-1 drubbing at Arsenal still fresh in the mind.

Coyle would have gratefully accepted a point after a heavily one-sided opening 20 minutes that could have easily seen the hosts move three or four ahead.

Marc Albrighton had already tested goalkeeper Adam Bogdan with an early drive before Fabrice Muamba’s crude foul on Ashley Young allowed the forward a chance to show off his dead-ball expertise.

A right-footed effort from 25 yards gave Bogdan no chance, although Villa will be thankful for the not-so-subtle work of James Collins in creating space in the Bolton wall.

MacDonald may be set for a return to duties as reserve team boss but the manner in which the Villa players ran to celebrate with their temporary manager suggested his efforts will not be quickly forgotten.

Stewart Downing then blasted another free-kick just wide while Albrighton continued to terrorise Bolton down the right flank almost at will as the home side asserted their dominance.

As if the constant pressure was not enough of a headache for Coyle, Bolton also had to reshuffle their defence midway through the first half when an injury to Andy O’Brien saw Sam Ricketts come off the bench.

If anything, however, the change appeared to galvanise Bolton and the visitors bucked up their ideas to level before the break.

Davies had just been denied by a superb Luke Young block but made no mistake moments later, pulling down a cut-back from Petrov before lashing a stylish left-footed drive into the roof of the net.

Villa’s bright start suddenly seemed like a distant memory and the hosts were fortunate when a skiddy drive from Stuart Holden drifted past Brad Friedel’s right-hand post.

Stephen Ireland had been something of a spectator on his return to the side but burst into life after the restart when a mazy run ended with a shot just wide.

Luke Young then saw a close-range effort deflect off target before Downing’s low strike was just about dealt with by Bogdan as the hosts noticeably upped the tempo.

Once again Bolton weathered the storm though, and might have moved ahead had Friedel not been on the spot to block Petrov’s characteristically powerful shot.

Holden also forced Friedel into action while another piledriver from Petrov was bravely blocked by another sliding challenge from the impressive Luke Young.

The American goalkeeper also had to be sharp to keep out a Matt Taylor free-kick late on as Bolton ended the game in charge.

Plenty of positives then for Coyle to take back up the M6 but things will not get any easier next weekend when Manchester United arrive to do business at the Reebok Stadium.

*Aston Villa caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald:*

“It’s probably a fair result. I thought we started the game well, got the goal but then we became untidy and Bolton came back at us. Probably a point apiece was a fair end to it.

“You get to know the lads well over the years and it was nice for them to come over to me after the goal.”