John Carew handed Aston Villa a UEFA Cup lifeline with a second-half equaliser in the last-32 first-leg clash with CSKA Moscow at Villa Park.

The Norway international struck his eighth goal of the campaign after Vagner Love had broken the deadlock for Zico's side.

Villa dominated the second 45 minutes but the visitors somehow survived the onslaught.

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 December 4.

But Villa deserve massive credit for the way they responded in such positive fashion after going behind.

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 Barclays Premier League this season, they will still believe they can pull of 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 Barclays 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 then 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 18 minutes Love stunned the home side by giving CSKA the lead with his 21st goal of the campaign.

Yury Zhirkov played the ball into a space behind Curtis Davies and Zat Knight into the path of 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 2008-2009 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.

Love was looking sharp and Curtis 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 Gardner headed inches over when meeting a deep corner from Ashley Young.

Villa were now enjoying their best spell of the game and Akinfeev turned aside a dipping free-kick from Ashley Young.

Yet another dangerous cross from Ashley Young found Barry at the far post and his header was blocked by Georgi Shchennikov.

Sergei Ignashevich got in a crucial challenge to deny Barry after he had burst into the box to try and make contact with Ashley Young's curling centre.

Berezutski could have doubled CSKA's lead after 67 minutes when he found himself with only Guzan to beat after being put through by Dzagoev but he pushed his shot wide.

It proved a costly miss for after 69 minutes Carew put Villa back on level terms.

Gardner chased down a cross from Ashley Young which flew across the box, turned it back to Carew and the Norwegian made no mistake with a first-time drive.

Ashley Young was only a yard wide after Agbonlahor had laid off a long throw from Luke Young but CSKA held firm.

Teams

Aston Villa Guzan, Luke Young, Davies, Knight, Shorey,Gardner, Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young, Carew, Agbonlahor.

Subs Not Used: Friedel, Bannan, Salifou, Lowry, Albrighton,

Harewood, Delfouneso.

Booked: Petrov, Luke Young.

Goals: Carew 69.

CSKA Moscow Akinfeev, Vasili Berezutsky, Ignashevich,Alexei Berezutsky, Shchennikov, Krasic, Rahimic,Aldonin (Mamaev 90), Zhirkov (Erkin 90),Dzagoev (Daniel Carvalho 80), Vagner Love.

Subs Not Used: Pomazan, Ramon, Ricardo Jesus, Odiah.

Goals: Vagner Love 14.

Att: 38,038

Ref: Peter Rasmussen (Denmark).