BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - GARETH Barry's second-half penalty cancelled out Stewart Downing's fine opener to earn Aston Villa a 1-1 Premier League draw with Middlesbrough here on Wednesday but a point did neither side's ambitions much good.

Struggling Middlesbrough, who face Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United in three of their next four matches, were the better side for three quarters of the game at Villa Park and led through Downing's 23rd minute opener.

But they remained six points above the drop zone after Barry made no mistake with a penalty after Luke Young was adjudged to have handled in the box.

Manager Gareth Southgate had called for a reaction from his Middlesbrough players following their shock 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Championship team Cardiff at the weekend and his side could have gone head twice in the first 10 minutes.

Firstly, Robert Huth headed over from eight yards with Villa goalkeeper Scott Carson flailing at Emanuel Pogatetz's deflected shot and, after Tuncay turned Zat Knight and had a shot saved by Carson, Mido fired just wide.

Following another swift Boro breakaway, Egyptian midfielder Shawky drove narrowly over but Downing opened the scoring midway through the opening period.

Knight's routine clearance lacked power and flew straight to Downing. The England winger skipped past the centre-back and hit a low shot that Carson could not prevent flying into the corner.

Ashley Young sliced wide as Villa finally manager a shot on goal after 27 minutes but Tuncay could have added a second for Middlesbrough after spinning Martin Laursen on halfway, but the Turk lacked the pace to make the most of the chance and Villa cleared.

Shawky drove inches wide of Carson's post and two minutes before the break, Mido cleared off the line from John Carew after Young's free-kick was turned back towards goal by Shaun Maloney.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill threw on Marlon Harewood and Olof Mellberg at the interval but Boro continued to frustrate the hosts.

Six minutes after the restart, Mido should have doubled the lead. After intricate play by the impressive Tuncay, Downing picked out the Egyptian striker eight yards from goal, but Mido sliced over with the outside of his left foot when he should have shot with his right.

Then Tuncay again failed to make the most of a decent opportunity as he mis-controlled after Mido's flick put him clean through.

O'Neill's men were still struggling to create and a Barry cross landed on top of the net midway through the second half and Harewood glanced a header straight at Boro's Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer shortly after.

But Villa finally got a foot-hold in the game with 17 minutes left when Ashley Young's cross hit the elbow of namesake Luke and Barry sent Schwarzer the wrong way with the penalty to pull Villa level.

Villa continued to pile forward but despite a Barry corner that flew past the far post, they failed to create another decent chance to steal a winner and close the gap on Everton. -- AFP