Bolton extend Villa´s win drought with draw

Bolton extended one-time Champions League contenders Aston Villa’s dreadful recent run to 12 without a win in all competitions as they came from behind to force a 1-1 draw here on Saturday.

A second-half goal from Tamir Cohen – his first of the season – got the hosts a point and left Villa with just four points from their last possible 27 and trail fourth-placed Arsenal by seven points. The Gunners also have a game in hand.

Bolton will be more grateful for the point as it keeps them just about out of the relegation battle – they are seven points above third from bottom Middlesbrough, who have a game in hand.

Ashley Young had given Villa the lead shortly before half-time – his first this year with his last coming against Bolton on December 13 – though, it was down to dreadful judgement by the Bolton defence and goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

He floated in a run of the mill cross from the left but the Bolton defenders didn’t bother dealing with it as neither did Jaaskelainen and the ball went in off the far post.

The Finnish goalkeeper had seen more of the action earlier in the half as James Milner troubled him but he caught his freekick – the England Under-21 international had also seen an effort seconds earlier blocked by a desperate Bolton defender.

The hosts, though, had an opportunity to level but Fabrice Muamba made a complete hash of a chance when one on one with Brad Friedel but from just six yards out his tame effort was gratefully smothered by the American.

Both sides failed to spark in the second-half with just Norwegian international John Carew’s header the only effort on goal of note, which Jaaskelainen did well to tip over the bar.