Aston Villa and CSKA Moscow: All Square in the UEFA Cup at Villa Park

Aston Villa and CSKA Moscow shared the spoils with a 1-1 draw in the UEFA Cup Round of 32 match on Wednesday night.

For the visit of CSKA Moscow to Villa Park, Martin O'Neill made only one change to the side from last week's FA Cup defeat to Everton, with Brad Friedel being replaced in goal by fellow American Brad Guzan.

Both sides made a lively start in the opening stages, with CSKA having slightly more possession and creating a few more chances than the hosts.

In the 10th minute Villa had a good chance as Ashley Young saw a well struck free-kick saved by CSKA keeper Akinfeev, after Gabriel Agbonlahor had been felled just outside the area.

Four minutes later it was the visitors who took the lead as a good link-up play sent the blue-haired Vagner Love through on goal, with the Brazilian striker making no mistake and slotting home calmly past a helpless Guzan.

In the 29th minute, Villa had a great chance to equalise.  Gareth Barry won the ball and played it out wide to Young, who crossed in for an unmarked Abgonlahor, but the striker could not direct his header goal-ward.

Just three minutes later the home side had another decent chance as Gabriel Agbonlahor played the ball out to Young, who crossed in for John Carew to head the ball just over the crossbar.

Villa had a few more chances in the remainder of the first half, but couldn't find the target. CSKA also had some chances, with the lively Vagner Love again threatening the home side's defence.

It was the visitors who had the first chance after the re-start, with Zhirkov blazing over after being expertly played through by Love.

Villa then found their feet and almost scored at 53 minutes. A deep corner from Barry was headed back across by Craig Gardener, with the midfielder seeing his effort clipping the crossbar before bouncing over.

After threatening on several occasions, Villa finally managed to equalise in the 67th minute.

Ashley Young's low cross evaded everyone inside the box before being picked up on the other wing by Craig Gardener, who cut the ball back inside for Carew to slot past Akinfeev and draw the scores level at 1-1.

In the 81st minute, Villa the home side had a great chance to take the lead, as Gareth Barry held off the CSKA defenders inside the box before laying it off to Young, who unleashed a powerful effort just wide of the post.

Villa were looking ominous and just a minute later had another great chance, as Agbonlahor raced down the wing before playing it back across to Young, who dribbled his way into the box before hitting a decent effort just over the bar.

Both sides had chances towards the end, but both could not score.  In the end it finished 1-1 in a packed Villa Park.

Aston Villa: Guzan; L Young, Davies, Knight, Shorey; Gardner, Barry, Petrov, A Young; Agbonlahor, Carew

Subs: Friedel, Salifou, Harewood, Delfouneso, Bannan, Lowry, Albrighton

CSKA Moscow: Akinfeev, Ignashevich, A Berezutski, Love, Krasic, Zhirkov, Aldonin (90 Mamaev), V Berezutski, Rahmic, Shchennikov, Dzagoev (80 Carvalho).

Subs: Pomazan, Ramon, Carvalho, Mamaev Da Silva, Odiah, Caner