Bolton threw themselves a Premiership lifeline with their first win at Villa Park since the days of Nat Lofthouse and dealt a massive blow to the home side's UEFA Cup hopes.

First half goals from Villa old boy Neil Cox and on-loan West Brom striker Bob Taylor plus a late effort from Nathan Blake sealed Bolton's first away win since the opening day of the season at Southampton.

Bolton have had to wait 43 years since last triumphing at Villa but their shock success has revitalised their hopes of avoiding an instant return to the First Division.

Colin Todd's side were under the cosh for long periods but they showed a resolution that had been lacking in their last performances in the Midlands a fortnight ago when they were thrashed 4-0 at Derby.

They were inspired by centre-back Gerry Taggart who was making his first start for six months because of a mixture of injury and suspension as Villa were restricted to a single goal from Ian Taylor.

It was a huge setback to Villa's chances of earning automatic qualification for Europe after winning their previous five Premier League encounters.

Now all their good work since John Gregory took charge two months ago could count for nothing and they may now have to be contend with trying to earn a spot via the summer InterToto Cup.

Villa were quickly into their stride and Bolton keeper Keith Branagan blocked a low drive from Lee Hendrie as the visitors were forced onto the defensive.

But Colin Todd's side stunned the near full house by taking the lead with their first decisive move after 18 minutes.

Alan Thompson - a possible target for Villa manager John Gregory - threaded a pass through to Cox who got in front of the covering defender Alan Wright.

Cox was able to get in a low left-footed drive which crept past Mark Bosnich's despairing drive and into the net off the near post.

Villa retaliated and Branagan failed to hold onto a low Hendrie effort but, when the rebound fell to Dwight Yorke, he completely miskicked.

Branagan tipped over a curling shot from the recalled Savo Milosevic and then Ian Taylor blasted over when well placed.

But four minutes before the interval Bolton went further ahead. Yorke's crossfield pass played Riccardo Scimeca - a replacement for the injured Steve Staunton - into trouble and let in Bob Taylor.

Taylor found himself with a free run on goal and he beat Bosnich inside his near post with a rising drive from the edge of the area.

Villa were soon back on the offensive in the second period and Milosevic saw a goalbound shot ricochet off a Bolton defender to safety.

There was a moment of controversy in the 51st minute when action replays suggested that Ian Taylor's header from a Hendrie corner had crossed the line but referee David Elleray waved play on.

But Villa were not to be denied and five minutes later Ian Taylor reduced the deficit with a spectacular goal.

Milosevic played the ball back to the Villa midfielder whose rising left-footed 25-yard effort flew past Branagan into the roof of the net.

Gregory then replaced Milosevic with Stan Collymore for his first action since having a cortisone injection to try cure a groin problem.

Joachim came within inches of grabbing an equaliser when he toe-poked the ball over Branagan but the ball rebounded back off the bar into the hands of the grateful Bolton keeper.

It was constant one-way traffic towards the Bolton goal but six minutes from time the visitors broke away to earn the corner from which they clinched their victory.

Thompson's corner picked out Blake at the near post and his header entered the net off the body of Bosnich.

Teams

Aston Villa: Bosnich, Staunton (Scimeca 32), Southgate (Grayson 45), Ehiogu, Taylor, Draper, Milosevic (Collymore 58), Yorke, Joachim, Wright, Hendrie.

Subs Not Used: Nelson, Oakes.

Goals: Taylor 57.

Bolton: Branagan, Cox, Fish (Fairclough 52), Thompson, Phillips, Bergsson, Sheridan, Taggart, Frandsen (Johansen 18), Blake, Taylor (Giallanza 89).

Subs Not Used: Salako, Jaaskelainen.

Booked: Thompson.

Goals: Cox 18, Taylor 41, Blake 84.

Att: 38,392

Ref: D R Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).