SOUTHAMPTON 1-1 ASTON VILLA
Villa were leading through Juan Pablo Angel's 23rd goal of the season, a disputed penalty, when Phillips intervened and the officials didn't. Southampton were saved from a third successive Premiership defeat and Newcastle and Liverpool handed an advantage in their quest to finish fourth.
And, in an open but goalless, second half, David O'Leary's side were unable to force a winner so 59 points is the most they can muster from a season of progress. They, and the fans in facny dress, could take heart from another encouraging performance.
Villa lacked nothing in either effort or attacking intent. Lee Hendrie was inventive, Juan Pablo Angel purposeful and elusive and Gavin McCann a model of dogged determination in the midfield. But after Phillips' 14th of the season, a second goal evaded them.
A week before, a glaring Phillips miss had preceded Chelsea's opening goal. Now, minutes after he missed from six yards, Southampton trailed again.
Referee Howard Webb's mere presence often guarantees goalless draws in the Premiership. He helped ensure this would not be a sixth 0-0 in eight top-flight games, but the present came from Danny Higginbotham, shoving Angel as Lee Hendrie's corner came in.
Angel sent Antti Niemi the wrong way to reward Villa for their greater penetration. The ever agile Finn had already foiled Villa twice with athletic saves from Liam Ridgewell's header and Gareth Barry's long-range shot while the energetic Gavin McCann, at full stretch, was just unable to convert a Darius Vassell cross.
But the lead lasted jus six minutes as Southampton's two most effective players combined. Anders Svensson, darting infield from a starting position, provided a slide-rule pass and Phillips' finish was composed but both he and James Beattie were past the Villa back four. Referee Webb, having already antagonised the home crowd and dismissed Saints coach Dennis Rofe, hardly endeared himself to Villa.
With the game stretched, the shots rained in as both sides pushed for a winner. Beattie slice his shot from Phillips' fine pass, Svensson's curler was inches past the post and Fabrice Fernandes twice shot wide. When Ronny Johnsen tugged Yoann Folly, referee Webb could have evened out the penalty count.
And Angel's one-man crusade to win it for Villa nearly brought a reward. Twice Ulises de la Cruz crossed, twice his headers were fractionally askew and the alert Niemi won the race to meet Hendrie's pass.
With time running out, Villa turned to a more direct approach. On loped first Peter Crouch and then Dion Dublin. When Hendrie crossed, Crouch's height enabled him to win a header. The diving Niemi, once again, thwarted Villa.
