Aston Villa's charge towards the Champions League slowed this afternoon as Southampton grabbed a 1-1 draw against David O'Leary's men at St Mary's.
A run of just one defeat in nine matches had pushed Villa, who once looked set for a relegation battle, to within striking distance of the Barclaycard Premiership's top four. A win could have taken them above Liverpool and five clear of Newcastle, who play tomorrow and have matches in hand, as the race for the final Champions League qualifying berth reaches fever pitch.
But despite taking the lead through Juan Pablo Angel after referee Howard Webb had awarded a controversial penalty on 39 minutes, they were pegged back by a determined Southampton side, who drew level when Kevin Phillips netted in first-half stoppage time.
Neither team could find a winner in what turned out to be a second period which promised much, but ultimately failed to deliver a decisive opening. Southampton made early progress down the right, before Phillips sent a 25-yard effort flying over the bar on seven minutes.
O'Leary's men always looked dangerous on the break, though, and Gareth Barry just failed to get on the end of Ronny Johnsen's cross from the right. As the quarter-hour approached, fit-again Darius Vassell chased a flick-on from Angel, and Antti Niemi had to be both quick and brave to collect the ball at the England striker's feet.
In the 20th minute, James Beattie held off Luke Ridgewell to get to the by-line and cut the ball back into the danger area, but JLloyd Samuel was on hand to hack clear. Vassell then tricked his way free down the left, only for his floated centre to fall just out of reach of the on-rushing Barry at the far post.
Villa won a corner on 27 minutes, and it was floated to the far post by Lee Hendrie, where Ridgewell was perfectly placed to send a header goalwards, only for Niemi to palm the ball away.
Just after the half-hour, Angel played a 25-yard free-kick across the line to Barry, whose curling drive was brilliantly tipped away by Niemi. At the other end, Phillips then fired wide when it looked easier to score
after turning Johnsen in the six-ya rd box.
The match erupted into controversy six minutes before half-time, when referee Webb awarded a penalty to Aston Villa. Thomas Hitzlsperger swung a corner into the crowded penalty area, and with several players tussling for position, Ridgewell was getting close attention from Danny Higginbotham.
Webb, though, saw something amiss and pointed to the spot, seeming to indicate either a push or the tug of a shirt. The Southampton team surrounded the referee, but their appeals were waved away. Whatever the penalty was given for, Angel needed no second invitation to dispatch the ball low past Niemi for his 23rd goal of the season.
The Southampton bench were also less than impressed, with coach Dennis Rofe asked to leave the technical area for taking his protestations too far. There was, though, nothing controversial about Southampton's equaliser in first-half stoppage time, when perhaps justice was served.
After good approach play, Anders Svensson expertly slid a reverse pass through to Phillips just inside the box. This time the former Sunderland striker made no mistake, letting the ball roll into his path before dropping his shoulder and sending a low drive past Sorensen.
Southampton were first to show after the break.
Beattie found himself in space just outside the area and after taking one touch to set, flashed the ball only inches wide with Sorensen well beaten. With 23 minutes left, giant striker Peter Crouch replaced Vassell as O'Leary looked to inject fresh impetus into his side.
Fabrice Fernandes then fired into the side netting after Yoann Folly had broken into the Villa area, before going down under a challenge from Ridgewell, which had the home crowd on their feet demanding a spot-kick.
Beattie saw his low drive from just inside the area well held by Sorensen as the match entered the final 20 minutes.
Hendrie sent a looping cross into the penalty area from the right, and although Crouch got on the end of it, the 6ft 7ins striker could only direct his header straight at Niemi in what was the final decent chance of the game.
Filed by Barry J Whyte
