Shaky Villa steadied by Onomah’s deflected goal

Aston Villa recorded their first away point of the season, but Steve Bruce’s side still have significant work to do if they are to improve their worrying form on the road.

Josh Onomah’s deflected 30-yard strike cancelled out Jamie Paterson’s opener for Bristol City in a typical Championship encounter in which Villa again failed to produce the sort of quality they will need to achieve promotion. A draw was more stumbled upon by the visitors than earned, and Villa have yet to keep a clean sheet this season.

Bruce was still happy. He said: “It wasn’t a classic, but there was a terrific atmosphere and the team rolled their sleeves up. We showed something which has been missing. To play for me you have to show fight and the players did that.

“Bristol are a good team, but thankfully we got a bit of luck with Josh’s goal and overall, I’ve seen the sort of response I wanted.”

A tight first period saw the visitors, who began with three central defenders in James Chester, captain John Terry and Chris Samba, quickly switch to a flat back four with just 20 minutes played.

Villa’s Andre Green and Bristol winger Paterson both worked their opposition goalkeeper, and Bobby Reid appealed for a penalty after going down under a Samba challenge. Referee Geoff Eltringham waved away those appeals to bring a goalless first half to an end.

Villa made another tactical tweak at half-time. James Bree replaced Samba who suffered a knee injury.

On the hour, Bristol moved ahead. Terry’s foul on Reid on the edge of the box gave Villa a freekick and after Marlon Pack’s effort hit the wall, Paterson fired home with his left foot.

Villa were rocking, but they were behind for just a matter of minutes. Onomah’s ambitious effort from long range struck Pack on its way to goal, leaving Frank Fielding helpless as it sailed over him.

Bristol manager Lee Johnson hit out at the referee afterwards. “It looked like a penalty when Bobby went down under Samba’s challenge,” he said. “It was definitely a penalty when Terry handled in the box in the second half. It was a horrendous refereeing performance.” Bristol City

Subs Aston Villa

Subs Referee