Villa make their point to reach top four

Emile Heskey’s 86th-minute equaliser denied Burnley another home win and lifted Aston Villa back into the Premier League’s top four with a 1-1 draw here Saturday.

Burnley skipper Steven Caldwell had headed in Robbie Blake’s free-kick to give his side a 9th-minute lead that looked destined to settle the match until Heskey got on the end of a James Milner cross.

Villa were visiting Burnley for a league clash for the first time since 1936 but it was the home side who appeared more determined to mark the occasion with a win in the early stages.

After some intense pressure, they went ahead when Caldwell got above Richard Dunne to connect with Blake’s fine delivery from wide on the right. Brad Friedel got a hand to the header but was unable to prevent the ball from ending up in the back of the net.

Burnley threatened to add to their score when Andre Bikey sent a dipping shot fractionally over after a neat lay-off by Steven Fletcher, who enhanced his growing reputation with another energetic display.

Bikey headed wide with an even better opportunity from a corner and Burnley were to pay the price of that miss as Villa gradually came into the match.

Burnley’s Danish goalkeeper, Brian Jensen, was almost embarrassed in the run-up to half-time after racing out to the left edge of his penalty area only to miss the ball under pressure from Gabriel Agbonlahor.

The Villa striker passed to Ashley Young but he curled his shot over.

Agbonlahor might have equalised early in the second half after Friedel’s long punt was flicked on by John Carew.

The striker had only Jensen to beat but as he shot for the far corner the slightest of touches from the Dane diverted it around the post.

Burnley hit back with Blake forcing Friedel to parry a powerful drive before both sides made changes.

Villa brought on Stewart Downing for what was the England winger’s debut for his new club while Burnley replaced Chris Eagles with Kevin McDonald, who quickly set up Fletcher for a shot that Friedel did well to tip over.

Villa boss Martin O’Neill’s last throw of the dice was to introduce Heskey in place of defender Luke Young and the move paid off with four minutes left.

Milner collected Jensen’s under-strength punched clearance and crossed to the back post for Heskey, who outjumped Caldwell to find the net.