Aston Villa's Uefa Cup tie with CSKA Moscow is delicately poised after the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw.
Last 32 first leg at Villa Park ends in 1-1 stalemate
Aston Villa's Uefa Cup last 32 tie with CSKA Moscow is delicately poised after the first leg at Villa Park on Wednesday night ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
Brazilian striker Vagner Love stunned the home faithful after just 14 minutes as he opened the scoring in impressive style, working a tidy one-two before slotting home.
CSKA's organisation stifled Villa for much of the remainder of the first period, but Martin O'Neill's men upped their tempo after the break and secured a vital draw as John Carew levelled with 21 minutes remaining.
It was a classic confrontation contrasting the technical skills and movement of the Russian side and the more direct but equally threatening approach of Villa.
Vagner Love and Yury Zhirkov always posed a menace for the Villa back four in what was CSKA's first competitive game since 4th December.
But Villa deserve massive credit for the way they responded in such positive fashion after going behind.
Threat
They dominated the second 45 minutes with Ashley Young a constant threat on the left flank and supplying a stream of dangerous crosses.
Gareth Barry also drove his side on from midfield in typically inspirational fashion while Gabriel Agbonlahor's pace also gave CSKA a lot to think about.
And, given Villa's impressive away record in the Premier League this season, they will still believe they can pull off a positive result in Moscow next Thursday.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and the Blues' new manager Guus Hiddink were amongst the spectators ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash at Villa Park.
Villa started brightly and Agbonlahor took advantage of a misdirected pass by Evgeni Aldonin and went on a pacey run but he was denied on the edge of the box by a fine tackle from Milos Krasic.
Aldonin brought down Stiliyan Petrov 25 yards out but Ashley Young's free-kick lacked pace and curled straight into the arms of Akinfeev.
But after 14 minutes Vagner Love stunned the home side by giving CSKA the lead with his 21st goal of the campaign.
Alan Dzagoev played the ball into a space behind Curtis Davies and Zat Knight into the path of Vagner Love and he coolly slotted his shot past the advancing Brad Guzan into the corner of the net.
It was also his ninth goal in seven Uefa Cup ties during the 2008/09 season.
Villa responded by building up some momentum in terms of possession and Agbonlahor could have brought them level after 29 minutes.
Barry's tenacity won him possession before finding Ashley Young and his inviting cross picked out the England striker but he failed to get any firm contact on his header which flew across the face of goal.
Ashley Young was finding plenty of space and Carew missed an even better opportunity three minutes later.
The left-winger supplied another menacing centre into the danger area and this time Carew headed over from eight yards out when he should have at least hit the target.
Petrov became the first player to be yellow carded after 38 minutes for kicking the ball away after disputing a free-kick awarded against him for a challenge on Krasic.
Vagner Love was looking sharp and Davies had to be alert to block a shot on the turn.
The Brazilian continued to pose a threat after the break and he shook off the challenge of Knight before releasing Zhirkov whose 20-yard drive was only just too high.
But Villa also were posing a threat and Craig
