Burnley 1 Aston Villa 1- Heskey warned despite wrecking anniversary waltz
22 Nov 2009 - 00:19:13
Emile Heskey finally got off the mark when he headed a late equaliser to salvage a barely deserved point for Martin O'Neill's side.
The Villa striker came off the bench to score his first goal of the season in his 13th appearance and cancel out Steve Caldwell's early opener.
But for Heskey to be a regular starter and preserve his England squad place, he will need to add to his tally.
Super sub: Aston Villa's Emile Heskey claims late equaliser
Manager O'Neill said: 'It was an important goal for him. He has areputation for being a provider for others to score, but if you're acentre-forward you need to get your quota.'It will be a great boost but he's capable of getting more than he does.'
That goal and a debut appearance for £12million signing Stewart Downing as a substitute were the high points for Villa.
But the fact that they became only the second Premier League side to avoid defeat at Turf Moor is a little misleading.
Hot and Cald: Burnley's Steven Caldwell (center) celebrates breaking the deadlock
The home side over-ran Villa in the first-half and while the secondperiod was more even, it was hard to tell which team held credibletop-four aspirations.
On Owen Coyle's second anniversary as manager, Burnley made a greatstart when Robbie Blake's curling free-kick was headed in by Caldwellin the ninth minute.
Coyle's captain somehow squeezed in between Brad Friedel and RichardDunne, who added to his midweek misery with Ireland by horriblymistiming his jump.
Steven Fletcher then headed over and Andre Bikey should have scored, too.
Turf tussle: Burnley's Steven Fletcher holds off Ashley Young
Ashley Young shot over after keeper Brian Jensen had chased GabrielAgbonlahor to the edge of his area. And Agbonlahor should haveequalised in the second half when put through by John Carew, whileRobbie Blake forced Friedel to parry.
Steve Fletcher almost added to Burnley's lead but frantic late pressure led to the equaliser.
Burnley failed to deal with a corner and James Milner curled the ball in for Heskey to nod home.
Dejected Burnley manager Coyle said: 'Friedel was outstanding forthem, but if you had said to me two years ago I'd be disappointed todraw with Villa, I would have taken it with both hands.'
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