Substitute Egil Ostenstad rediscovered his goalscoring touch at the perfect
time to give Southampton a fully deserved point at Villa Park.
The Norwegian has only started five games this season thanks to an ankle
injury but he grabbed his chance this afternoon to notch only his second goal of
the season after 72 minutes.
That cancelled out Ian Taylor's 64th minute opener which had threatened to
give the home side an undeserved win.
Mark Draper's cross found Taylor on the edge of the area, he controlled it
superbly with one touch and with the next blasted an unstoppable volley past
Paul Jones.
Saints' equaliser was a case of Route One, one point for the visitors, Jones'
long clearance travelling 70 yards untouched to Ostenstad, on as a sub for Kevin
Davies, who raced clear to fire past the unprotected Michael Oakes.
It was what the south coast side warranted after creating the best chances of
the first half and frustrating Villa's often unimaginative attacks.
Southampton manager Dave Jones had named the same side for the eighth straight
game for the visit to Villa.
And Brian Little also kept faith with the side that lost 1-0 to Manchester
United at Old Trafford on Monday with Michael Oakes continuing to deputise for
Mark Bosnich.
Bosnich and Saints' Robbie Slater are on international duty with Australia in
the Confederations Cup in Saudi Arabia.
The Saints brought a worrying string of defeats to an end last week at home to
Leicester thanks to a goal inside the first minute.
And they nearly repeated the trick this afternoon as Villa's defenders went to
sleep at a corner.
David Hirst had a free header from Matthew Le Tissier's centre but failed to
test Oakes.
Milosevic had the best chance of a quiet opening, Claus Lundekvam failing to
cut out a long ball which let Milosevic through on goal.
He rounded Paul Jones but was forced slightly wide and Lundekvam atoned for
his error by getting back to clear off the line.
Southgate was then given a free run from inside his own half before firing
straight at Jones and Le Tissier also hit his volley from outside the area right
down Oakes' throat.
Southampton were creating the better chances and could have been two ahead
before 20 minutes had gone.
Hirst was put through in the left hand side of the penalty area but saw Oakes
saves his left-foot drive with his legs.
Just a minute later, Le Tissier almost broke the deadlock, playing a neat
one-two with Oakley on the edge of the area.
He appeared to be tripped on the edge of the area but carried on to go round
Oakes, only to lose control at the vital moment with the goal gaping.
Southampton could not capitalise on their bright start, however, and let Villa
back into the game.
And the visitors were also forced to make a change 10 minutes before
half-time, Ostenstad brought on for Kevin Davies who appeared to be struggling
with an injury.
Villa almost snatched an undeserved lead just before the break though, Ehiogu
finding space in the area to fire two shots at Jones from close range but the
Saints keeper produced two stunning saves to keep the scores level.
The home faithful began to grow impatient with their side's inability to break
the deadlock as Villa were reduced to long-range shots.
Collymore's sole contribution to the game was a quick cross which Milosevic
volleyed wide and Jones saved Wright's 18-yard effort.
Villa finally opened the scoring after 63 minutes as Draper found Taylor on
the edge of the area.
One touch brought the ball under control and the second sent a volley crashing
past the helpless Jones.
But while the fans were still celebrating Southampton could have equalised as
Hirst created some space in the area, but Oakes beat away his left-foot volley.
And seven minutes later they were level. Staunton appeared to have the long
ball covered but failed to make contact and Ostenstad was clean through.
The ball sat up invitingly and the Norwegian hammered it past the unfortunate
Oakes.
As the fog descended on Villa Park, Southampton could even have taken all three
points from a well-worked freekick 25 yards out.
Le Tissier was the favourite to take it but after his dummy run it was rolled
wide to David Hirst who forced a spectacular flying save from Oakes.
That was the last chance and the Villa players left the field with a short
burst of boos ringing in their ears.
Teams:
Aston Villa: Oakes, Charles, Staunton, Southgate, Ehiogu, Wright,
Taylor, Draper, Grayson (Hendrie 67), Milosevic, Collymore.
Subs Not Used: Joachim, Nelson, Scimeca, Ghent.
Goals: Taylor 64.
Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Benali, Palmer, Monkou, Lundekvam,
Le Tissier, Oakley, Richardson, Davies (Ostenstad 36), Hirst.
Subs Not Used: Flahavan, Williams, Robinson, Hughes.
Goals: Ostenstad 72.
Att: 29,343
Ref: D R Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).
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