Trailing with ten minutes remaining, Aston Villa FC rallied to earn a 1-1 draw with West Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion FC at Villa Park.

Buoyed by their English League Cup triumph at Manchester City FC in midweek, the hosts sparkled in the opening exchanges with Brett Holman stinging the fingertips of Ben Foster with a venomous 30-metre strike. The adroit dribbler came to the fore again five minutes before the break but failed to apply the finishing touch to a dazzling run.

West Brom emerged after the interval with renewed vibrancy and found a reward when James Morrison's inviting cross was turned in at the back post by Republic of Ireland forward Shane Long. Stung into action, the home side replied with intent, only to be denied by a string of last-ditch blocks and interventions.

The introduction of Darren Bent was manager Paul Lambert's last throw of the dice and his decision paid dividends when the predatory striker capitalised on a goalmouth scramble by coolly steering the ball past Foster. The action switched ends at dizzying pace thereafter and it was the visitors who came closest to stealing the points when Romelu Lukaku's deflected effort struck a post.