Villa hauled back by plucky Odense

Aston Villa FC are in pole position to reach the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup despite surrendering the lead twice in their 2-2 draw at Odense BK.

Early breakthough
The English side opened the scoring through John Carew after only six minutes but debutant Steve Sidwell then put through his own net to level matters. Martin Laursen headed Martin O'Neill's side back in front after the interval only for Anders Christensen to restore parity again at the death.

Belief rewarded
The visitors dominated the opening 15 minutes at Fionia Park and it was no surprise when Carew scored from close range early on. However, the home side began to believe when Stuart Taylor was forced to make a brilliant save to repel Baye Djiby Fall's header. Their optimism was rewarded when Sidwell diverted a cross from Atle Roar Håland from the left into his own net on 25 minutes and the home side then upped the tempo. OB debutants Henrik Hansen and former Villa midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba both went close, as did Johan Absalonsen.

Laursen headers
The pressure mounted further after the break, Taylor called to produce a magnificent double save from Absalonsen and Fall before Ashley Young made a goalline clearance. But Danish international Laursen eased Villa's fears by heading in from a free-kick on the left with 14 minutes remaining. The defender nearly sewed up the tie with two further headed efforts but he was made to pay for his wastefulness in the dying seconds when Christensen's low shot found the far corner.