Premier League: Bolton 3 Aston Villa 2

Aston Villa missed a penalty and a hatful of chances, allowing Bolton to snatch all three points 3-2 from their clash at the Reebok Stadium.

Former Villa defender Gary Cahill twice pulled Wanderers level after goals from Darren Bent and Marc Albrighton had put the visitors ahead before Ivan Klasnic fired them in front five minutes from time.

Villa boss Gerard Houllier was left to rue a series of missed opportunities including a fantastic penalty save from Jussi Jaaskelainen to deny Ashley Young.

The result meant Houllier’s decision to rest his key players in midweek backfired disastrously with his side still in relegation trouble as well as dumped out of the FA Cup.

The Frenchman made nine changes from the side that limped out of the Cup competition at Manchester City on Wednesday night, with in-form wingers Young and Stewart Downing recalled alongside the cup-tied Bent.

And Bent almost made an immediate impact when he latched onto a Young through-ball but when face-to-face with Jaaskelainen, the England striker dithered and left the ball behind as he tried to go round the keeper.

They were deservedly ahead in the 16th minute with a smart break started by Luke Young in his own half. The ball was worked to Kyle Walker, who raced past Stuart Holden and crossed to Bent, who couldn’t miss from four yards.

The former Sunderland striker, who has scored in 13 of his last 14 games against Bolton, almost added to his tally when David Wheater’s headed clearance hit him in the face and ricocheted off the bar.

But on the stroke of half-time Cahill drew Wanderers level with a near-post header from Martin Petrov’s corner.

Villa should have restored their advantage after the break but wasted two gilt-edged chances. First, Downing blasted off target from six yards after good work from Albrighton.

Then Bent’s shot was heroically blocked by Wheater and when the ball fell for Young, Bolton keeper Jaaskelainen was at his brilliant best to keep out his strike.

Villa finally got the second in the 65th minute when Downing stormed past Paul Robinson to cross for the unmarked Albrighton to scramble home.

And the visitors should have wrapped up all three points five minutes later when Young was brought down in the box by a clumsy Wheater challenge. The winger picked himself to take the spot kick but Jaaskelainen guessed correctly and made a fine low save to his right.

And Houllier’s side were made to pay when Cahill pulled Bolton level again when he followed up his own header saved by Brad Friedel.

Then, with just four minutes to go, Klasnic finished brilliantly on the turn to steal the victory.