1-1

Bristol City and Aston Villa shared the points on Friday night as they played out a 1-1 draw in the Sky Bet Championship.

Bristol City took the lead through Jamie Paterson in the second-half after he reacted quickest when Aston Villa failed to clear a free-kick. The midfielder’s first effort was blocked, but he got up to fire the rebound into the bottom corner from close range.

The visitors were back on level terms soon after when Spurs loanee Josh Onomah fired in a shot from 25 yards, which deflected off Marlon Pack and looped over Frank Fielding into the back of the net.

Bristol City started off the better as they dominated possession in the first quarter of the match, forcing Aston Villa to change formation midway through the half.

Manager Lee Johnson will be disappointed his team struggled to create chances during the opening exchanges, with only Famara Diedhiou’s half-chance when he spun inside the area, only to shoot straight at Sam Johnstone, the only noticeable opportunity for the hosts.

Aston Villa played in a direct fashion as they looked to utilise Keinan Davis in the final third, but it had minimal rewards for Steve Bruce. His team only found their feet at around the half hour mark after sitting back, inviting Bristol City on.

The visitors had the best chance of the first-half when Conor Hourihane played in Ahmed Elmohamady, but the full-back’s shot was quickly charged down by Fielding who reacted well to the danger.

Paterson fired Bristol City into the lead thanks to his quick reactions inside the area, as the experienced Villa defence didn’t remove the danger when it was necessary. The Bristol City man gave Johnstone no chance with his strike low into the corner.

Bruce’s men didn’t lie down and Onomah risked a shot from range in the hope of enlivening his team, as they had seemed flat.

Luckily for Villa, the strike from distance hit Pack, helping it beyond a stranded Fielding.

Neither side could muster a decent chance in the final stages, as each manager settled for a point at Ashton Gate.

Man of the match: Josh Onomah

The liveliest player in the Villa ranks, who was happy to try and take players on and attack when the rest of his team-mates looked pedestrian. The Spurs player was rewarded when he got the equaliser for Aston Villa with his deflected strike.

Linked well with Keinan Davis, which looked like the most likely partnership to create a goal throughout the game, but his one other good chance from the right-hand side of the area was held by Fielding.