Wanderers had to settle for a draw after coming from behind to earn a deserved point in an entertaining 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.

Gary Megson's side toiled hard against European chasing Villa but failed to create a clear goal scoring opportunity after grabbing the equaliser that would have clinched the three points.

Prior to kick off, Gary Megson made two changes to the side that lost to Portsmouth. The Bolton manager opted for Tamir Cohen over Chris Basham and the injured Ricardo Gardner was replaced by Fabrice Muamba. Wanderers included three ex-Villa players in the starting line up in Gavin McCann, Gary Cahill and Jlloyd Samuel.

Both sides made an attacking start to the game, with Wanderers striker Johan Elmander almost getting on the end of a Kevin Davies through ball only for Friedel to rush out to clear after three minutes.

Elmander was then involved again when he held up the ball well on the left hand side to draw in a foul. Ex-Villain Gavin McCann stepped up to take the free kick and whipped in an in swinging set-piece that flew wide of the post by just a few yards.

Aston Villa then created the first real chance of the match after 20 minutes. A neat interchange between Ashley Young and Emile Heskey fed the ball to Milner who cut inside and shot only for Andy O'Brien to make a superb last ditch block.

Villa again made an opportunity, this time from a corner on the left. Young's delivery was only partially cleared, Barry hit the first effort from the edge of the box that was blocked by Taylor before Tamir Cohen threw himself in front of a second drive from Petrov.

After half an hour Fabrice Muamba had a glorious chance to open his account in a white shirt. Kevin Davies played a lovely ball wide to Matt Taylor who whipped in a delightful cross only for Muamba to scuff his left footed shot into the arms of Friedel from six yards.

Gareth Barry then cynically chopped down Kevin Davies on the right touchline to be the only booking of the game with 10 minutes to go before half time. Matt Taylor curled in a dangerous free kick only for Villa's defence to head clear amidst a sea of white shirts.

Jlloyd Samuel then created a half chance for skipper Kevin Davies after 41 minutes. Samuel dropped a right footed cross onto the head of Davies who beat Shorey in the air to head at goal only for Friedel to save well.

Villa then took the lead after 43 minutes with a fortuitous strike through Ashley Young. Young picked up the ball on the touchline on the left hand side and played what seemed to be an in swinging cross that missed everyone only for it to strike the far post and roll into the net.

Wanderers looked for a quick response and it almost came through Jlloyd Samuel's 30 yard drive but it was comfortably saved by Brad Friedel.

Both sides stuck with the teams that started the match and it was Bolton who created the first chance of the second half. Taylor crossed to Elmander who nodded down for Davies only for the striker to drag his effort just wide.

Wanderers then hit back on the hour with the equaliser through Tamir Cohen on his first start of the season. Matt Taylor clipped in a free kick from the touch line, Johan Elmander provided the first flick on to Andy O'Brien who brilliantly headed the ball across goal into the path of Cohen who smashed home a half volley from close range.

Aston Villa were then awarded a free kick from just outside the area after a foul by Muamba on Carew. Ashley Young then took the free kick that followed but the ball sailed over Jaaskelainen's cross bar.

Wanderers were then unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty by referee Lee Probert after what appeared to be a push on Tamir Cohen by Villa skipper Gareth Barry just inside the area.

John Carew then came close for Villa with an audacious left footed effort from the corner of the penalty area that curled just wide of Jaaskelainen's far post with twelve minutes to go.

With seven minutes to go Bolton then had another half chance to try and secure three points. McCann crossed for Kevin Davies from the free kick who nodded the ball into the path of Elmander but the Swedish international could only deflect the ball wide.

Soon after, Nicky Shorey crossed from the left onto the head of Norwegian international John Carew who powerfully headed the ball towards the top corner but Jaaskelainen did well to tip over.

In a flowing second half just two minutes injury time were added on but Bolton could not find the elusive winner.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Samuel, Cahill, O'Brien (Puygrenier 78), Steinsson, Taylor, McCann, Muamba, Cohen (Basham 87), Davies, Elmander.

Aston Villa: Friedel, Shorey, Knight, Davies, Cuellar, Young, Petrov, Barry, Milner, Carew, Heskey (Delfouneso 76).

By Gavin Patterson