Danny Mills scored a last-gasp winner to keep alive Charlton's hopes of staying in the Premiership after a pulsating game at Villa Park.

With 60 seconds left the Addicks were heading back to Division One after three times squandering the lead against John Gregory's side.

Southampton's victory at Wimbledon meant that Charlton needed the three points to earn a lifeline - and England Under-21 star Mills duly obliged.

Villa defender Steve Watson inadvertently set up the opportunity by hauling back Martin Pringle - which meant he followed Charlton keeper Andy Petterson in being red-carded.

The free-kick was rolled into the path of Mills and his shot flew past the despairing dive of Michael Oakes into the roof of the net.

It was the signal for scenes of wild celebration from the thousands of Charlton fans who had made the trip up the M1.

Now their fate is again in the balance with Blackburn losing at home to Nottingham Forest and a home match to follow against Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the season.

Alan Curbishley's side showed fantastic fighting qualities all through the game but at 3-3 the game finally looked up with Petterson given his marching orders after bringing down Julian Joachim.

It was a game that will live in the memory for a long time and even the Villa fans joined in the applause at the final whistle in recognition of Charlton's never-say-die attitude.

The game got off to an explosive start with two goals in the first seven minutes - with Gareth Barry scoring at both ends of the pitch.

In the third minute, Charlton gave themselves an enormous boost when Barry, under pressure from Graham Stuart, could only help a John Robinson centre into his own net.

But four minutes later, the England Under-21 international made amends after a dreadful mistake by Charlton defender Richard Rufus.

There appeared little danger when Paul Merson overhit an intended pass in the direction of Joachim. But Rufus, instead of letting the ball run harmlessly through to Petterson, panicked and sent a pass across his own area.

The ball fell straight to Barry and his first-time effort from the edge of the area flew past a stranded Petterson for the equaliser.

Villa had the lion's share of the possession with Barry making full use of the space in surging forward down the left while Merson was also heavily involved.

Charlton were content to rely on the counter-attack but they showed plenty of the kind of commitment expected from a side in their precarious position.

After the initial excitement there were few goalmouth incidents in the remainder of the half.

The closest Villa came to breaking the deadlock before the interval came from Barry who tested Petterson with a rasping 20 yard drive.

At the other end a mis-hit back-pass from Colin Calderwood almost caught out Oakes who had to race out of his goal to clear from Clive Mendonca.

Curbishley's battlers gave themselves further hope of staying up when Mendonca restored their lead in the 56th minute.

Jones turned the ball onto Mendonca and he skated away from the challenge of Gareth Southgate before planting a rising shot past Oakes.

This time their advantage lasted nine minutes before Joachim dragged Villa level for the second time with his 15th goal of the campaign.

Barry and substitute Darius Vassell combined down the left before feeding Joachim and he cut the ball across the onrushing Petterson for the equaliser.

But incredibly Charlton went in front for the third time in the 68th minute.

Jones outpaced Southgate and squared the ball back to Mendonca whose shot ballooned up to Robinson at the far post and his header was ruled to be over the line before Barry's clearance.

However, for the third time Villa stormed back and, with Southampton in front at Wimbledon, what looked to be the most crucial time.

Wright sent in an inswinging corner, Ugo Ehiogu had one effort blocked and Joachim squeezed the ball in from close range.

Charlton's task became even greater with the Petterson sending-off in the 80th minute but then up popped Mills to ensure their fate will not be decided until the final day of the season.

Teams:

Aston Villa: Oakes, Watson, Calderwood (Vassell 61), Southgate, Wright, Stone, Draper (Ehiogu 61), Taylor, Barry, Merson,Joachim.

Subs Not Used: Thompson, Samuel, Enckelman.

Sent Off: Watson (89).

Booked: Taylor.

Goals: Barry 7, Joachim 66, 79.

Charlton: Petterson, Mills, Rufus, Tiler, Powell, Stuart, Redfearn (Barnes 83), Kinsella, Robinson (Brown 81), Jones, Mendonca (Pringle 83).

Subs Not Used: Bowen, Parker.

Sent Off: Petterson (80).

Booked: Redfearn, Jones.

Goals: Barry 3 og, Mendonca 56, Robinson 68, Mills 89.

Att: 37,705

Ref: M Riley (Leeds).