FULL TIME: Steve Bennett brings the game to a close. Middlesbrough bossed the first-half but Villa improved for the second so a draw was a just result for both sides, but Martin O'Neill's side will have to improve if they are to push for Europe.
89
Barry sends a high corner into the box and, after a couple of miss-hits, Boro clear their lines.
87
Young is through on goal but is brought down by a Boro defender who is deemed to have played the ball.
85
Villa are simply hoisting the ball forward looking for the height of their two strikers at the moment but every move is coming to a halt and will have to do more if they are to break down the Boro defence.
83
Substitution
Mido leaves the field and is replaced by Lee Cattermole
82
Yellow Card
Boateng is cautioned because of a late challenge on Harewood.
81
The game spills over and George Boateng's temper flares and is seen shouting at the officials and even his own manager.
79
Bouma picks out Carew with a cross and the big striker flicks the ball on looking for a team-mate in the box, but Boro clear their lines.
77
The Boro players look to be tiring now and Southgate may be forced into making some substitutions.
75
Villa look like they could push on from the goal and definitely look the most likely to get a winner.
73
Goal
ASTON VILLA 1 - 1 MIDDLESBROUGH: GARETH BARRY coolly converts from the spot and Villa are back on level terms.
73
Yellow Card
Luke Young is also booked for dissent.
73
Yellow Card
Schwarzer is cautioned for pestering the referee about the positioning of the ball on the penalty spot.
72
Penalty
Barry's free-kick falls to the feet of Young who gets a shot away, but it deflects off the hand of Luke Young and Villa are awarded a penalty.
70
Villa are throwing everything at their opponents and are seeing much more of the ball but have not yet been able to penetrate the Boro back-line.
68
Barry floats a corner into the mixer and it is cleared as far as Young who strikes a ferocious shot, but Schwarzer is equal to it.
66
Young takes a swirling free-kick and Schwarzer is forced to tip the ball over the crossbar.
64
Barry tries a shot from the corner of the Boro box and it glances off the roof of the net to the relief of Schwarzer.
61
Villa put together a good move but it is turned away at the last moment by the outstretched leg of Huth.
59
Barry has been very sloppy tonight and plays the ball to a white Middlesbrough shirt yet again to the frustration of the home faithful.
57
The communication between Laursen and Knight does not seem to be working well at the moment and Tuncay cuts through the middle of them, but Carson rushes out of the area to hack the ball to safety.
54
Carew gets behind the Villa defence but has strayed a fraction offside, though there wasn't much in it.
52
Downing shows brilliant work on the flank and turns Mellberg inside out before picking out Mido with a cross, but the big striker lazily lifts the ball over the bar.
50
Villa have made a brighter start to this second-half but still have a lot of work to do
48
Harewood shows his strength and gets to the byline but his low cross does not find a team-mate.
46
Martin O'Neil is clearly looking to match the Middlesbrough centre-halves for height and strength by placing Harewood and Carew up-front.
45
Substitution
Second-half super-sub Marlon Harewood takes the place of Shaun Maloney
45
Substitution
Craig Gardner makes way for Olof Mellberg
Second half
The second-half is underway and Martin O'Neil makes a double substitution.
Half time
HALF TIME: Steve Bennett brings the first-half to a close and Villa will be glad to reach the dressing room. The visitors have been much the better side and have had several chances to double their tally.
45
Downing has a go with a 35-yards free-kick but does not beat the wall.
44
Downing picks out Mido with a curling cross and the Egyptian nods the ball wide of the mark but could so easily have doubled the tally for his side.
42
Young's inviting free-kick is hit gial-wards by Carew and Mido clears the ball off the line. The ball falls to Carew again and this time he heads over the crossbar.
39
O'Neil lobs a decent through ball into the box and catches the Villa defence off guard, but Carson recognises the danger and smothers the ball.
39
Young tries to break into the Boro box but Huth stops him in his tracks.
38
Middlesbrough look to be enjoying themselves at the moment and Shawky strikes a spectacular shot from distance which whistles past the post.
37
Gardner gets a low cross into the box and Agbonlahor is caught by surprise and fails to connect with the ball.
36
Young tries his luck with a long-range free-kick but strikes it into the wall.
34
Villa cannot keep possession at the moment and are gifting the ball to their opponents.
33
Tuncay runs at goal and it looks like a dangerous run before Knight puts in a vital block to prevent a shot.
32
Agbonlahor has penalty appeals turned down after being bundled over in the box, and there looked to be minimal contact.
31
Boro are winning corners for fun at the moment but Villa are just about managing to get the ball away from danger.
29
Yellow Card
Shawky picks up the first booking of the game but demonstrates his case as he believes he got the ball.
28
Young gets a snap shot away from distance and fails to work Schwarzer.
27
O'Neil forces a good save out of Carson with a close range shot and Villa look in sixes and sevens at the back.
26
Downing gets into another good position but this time his shot is deflected behind for a corner.
24
That goal was not in the script for Villa who have not responded well, and Boro are going in search of a second!
22
Goal
ASTON VILLA 0 - 1 MIDDLESBROUGH: STEWART DOWNING rides two challenges before striking a hard shot past Carson and into the back of the net.
21
Agbonlahor and Carew link up before the Norwegian lays the ball off for Gareth Barry, but his shot does not make it's way through a crowd of bodies.
19
The visitors go on a quick break after Maloney's dispossession and Mohamed Shawky gets a shot away from outside the box but fails to trouble Carson.
18
Villa pass the ball about on the edge of the box and the move looks promising before Maloney runs himself into danger and Boro regain possession.
16
Carew tries to direct Young's fiercely driven cross goal-wards but Huth is on hand to hook the ball away to safety.
15
Aston Villa seem to have weathered the early Boro storm and are seeing a lot more of the ball now, though they are lucky to still be on level terms.
13
Shaun Maloney picks up the corner on the edge of the box and gets a shot away, but it deflects into the arms of Mark Schwarzer.
13
Young searches out Gabriel Agbonlahor with a pass and Huth is forced to concede a corner.
11
Sanli Tuncay shoots on the turn forcing a decent save out of Carson. He parries the ball in the direction of Mido who sweeps the ball wide of the post.
10
Mido reaches the byline and gets a low cross into the box, but Carson is quick off his line to smother the ball.
8
Ashley Young looks for John Carew with a cross but the two Boro centre halves show their intent by closing down the big striker immediately.
6
Gary O'Neil's corner causes all sorts of problems in the box. Martin Laursen's sliced clearance is flapped at by Scott Carson who completely misses the ball, but Robert Huth heads it over the bar.
6
Middlesbrough break and force a corner out of Villa right-back Craig Gardner.
4
The game has not really got going yet as both sides are trying to get a feel for the game.
2
Aston Villa can close the gap on Liverpool and Everton to five points and solidify their place in the top six if they win tonight while the visitors are in desperate need of a win and sit four points above relegation.
Kickoff
Referee Steve Bennett gets the game underway and Middlesbrough launch the ball forward.
Gareth Southgate makes three changes to the Boro side that lost to Cardiff on Sunday, with Julio Arca, Fabio Rochemback and Afonso Alves making way for George Boateng, Mohamed Shawky and Mido.
Awaiting Kickoff
Nigel Reo-Coker has shaken off a back injury to make Martin O'Neill's starting line-up, while Olof Mellberg returns to the bench. The only change made to the side that drew at Arsenal sees Zat Knight come in for the injured Curtis Davies.
Aston Villa
Middlesbrough
Full time
FULL TIME: Steve Bennett brings the game to a close. Middlesbrough bossed the first-half but Villa improved for the second so a draw was a just result for both sides, but Martin O'Neill's side will have to improve if they are to push for Europe.
Barry sends a high corner into the box and, after a couple of miss-hits, Boro clear their lines.
Young is through on goal but is brought down by a Boro defender who is deemed to have played the ball.
Villa are simply hoisting the ball forward looking for the height of their two strikers at the moment but every move is coming to a halt and will have to do more if they are to break down the Boro defence.
Substitution
Mido leaves the field and is replaced by Lee Cattermole
Yellow Card
Boateng is cautioned because of a late challenge on Harewood.
The game spills over and George Boateng's temper flares and is seen shouting at the officials and even his own manager.
Bouma picks out Carew with a cross and the big striker flicks the ball on looking for a team-mate in the box, but Boro clear their lines.
The Boro players look to be tiring now and Southgate may be forced into making some substitutions.
Villa look like they could push on from the goal and definitely look the most likely to get a winner.
Goal
ASTON VILLA 1 - 1 MIDDLESBROUGH: GARETH BARRY coolly converts from the spot and Villa are back on level terms.
Yellow Card
Luke Young is also booked for dissent.
Yellow Card
Schwarzer is cautioned for pestering the referee about the positioning of the ball on the penalty spot.
Penalty
Barry's free-kick falls to the feet of Young who gets a shot away, but it deflects off the hand of Luke Young and Villa are awarded a penalty.
Villa are throwing everything at their opponents and are seeing much more of the ball but have not yet been able to penetrate the Boro back-line.
Barry floats a corner into the mixer and it is cleared as far as Young who strikes a ferocious shot, but Schwarzer is equal to it.
Young takes a swirling free-kick and Schwarzer is forced to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Barry tries a shot from the corner of the Boro box and it glances off the roof of the net to the relief of Schwarzer.
Villa put together a good move but it is turned away at the last moment by the outstretched leg of Huth.
Barry has been very sloppy tonight and plays the ball to a white Middlesbrough shirt yet again to the frustration of the home faithful.
The communication between Laursen and Knight does not seem to be working well at the moment and Tuncay cuts through the middle of them, but Carson rushes out of the area to hack the ball to safety.
Carew gets behind the Villa defence but has strayed a fraction offside, though there wasn't much in it.
Downing shows brilliant work on the flank and turns Mellberg inside out before picking out Mido with a cross, but the big striker lazily lifts the ball over the bar.
Villa have made a brighter start to this second-half but still have a lot of work to do
Harewood shows his strength and gets to the byline but his low cross does not find a team-mate.
Martin O'Neil is clearly looking to match the Middlesbrough centre-halves for height and strength by placing Harewood and Carew up-front.
Substitution
Second-half super-sub Marlon Harewood takes the place of Shaun Maloney
Substitution
Craig Gardner makes way for Olof Mellberg
Second half
The second-half is underway and Martin O'Neil makes a double substitution.
Half time
HALF TIME: Steve Bennett brings the first-half to a close and Villa will be glad to reach the dressing room. The visitors have been much the better side and have had several chances to double their tally.
Downing has a go with a 35-yards free-kick but does not beat the wall.
Downing picks out Mido with a curling cross and the Egyptian nods the ball wide of the mark but could so easily have doubled the tally for his side.
Young's inviting free-kick is hit gial-wards by Carew and Mido clears the ball off the line. The ball falls to Carew again and this time he heads over the crossbar.
O'Neil lobs a decent through ball into the box and catches the Villa defence off guard, but Carson recognises the danger and smothers the ball.
Young tries to break into the Boro box but Huth stops him in his tracks.
Middlesbrough look to be enjoying themselves at the moment and Shawky strikes a spectacular shot from distance which whistles past the post.
Gardner gets a low cross into the box and Agbonlahor is caught by surprise and fails to connect with the ball.
Young tries his luck with a long-range free-kick but strikes it into the wall.
Villa cannot keep possession at the moment and are gifting the ball to their opponents.
Tuncay runs at goal and it looks like a dangerous run before Knight puts in a vital block to prevent a shot.
Agbonlahor has penalty appeals turned down after being bundled over in the box, and there looked to be minimal contact.
Boro are winning corners for fun at the moment but Villa are just about managing to get the ball away from danger.
Yellow Card
Shawky picks up the first booking of the game but demonstrates his case as he believes he got the ball.
Young gets a snap shot away from distance and fails to work Schwarzer.
O'Neil forces a good save out of Carson with a close range shot and Villa look in sixes and sevens at the back.
Downing gets into another good position but this time his shot is deflected behind for a corner.
That goal was not in the script for Villa who have not responded well, and Boro are going in search of a second!
Goal
ASTON VILLA 0 - 1 MIDDLESBROUGH: STEWART DOWNING rides two challenges before striking a hard shot past Carson and into the back of the net.
Agbonlahor and Carew link up before the Norwegian lays the ball off for Gareth Barry, but his shot does not make it's way through a crowd of bodies.
The visitors go on a quick break after Maloney's dispossession and Mohamed Shawky gets a shot away from outside the box but fails to trouble Carson.
Villa pass the ball about on the edge of the box and the move looks promising before Maloney runs himself into danger and Boro regain possession.
Carew tries to direct Young's fiercely driven cross goal-wards but Huth is on hand to hook the ball away to safety.
Aston Villa seem to have weathered the early Boro storm and are seeing a lot more of the ball now, though they are lucky to still be on level terms.
Shaun Maloney picks up the corner on the edge of the box and gets a shot away, but it deflects into the arms of Mark Schwarzer.
Young searches out Gabriel Agbonlahor with a pass and Huth is forced to concede a corner.
Sanli Tuncay shoots on the turn forcing a decent save out of Carson. He parries the ball in the direction of Mido who sweeps the ball wide of the post.
Mido reaches the byline and gets a low cross into the box, but Carson is quick off his line to smother the ball.
Ashley Young looks for John Carew with a cross but the two Boro centre halves show their intent by closing down the big striker immediately.
Gary O'Neil's corner causes all sorts of problems in the box. Martin Laursen's sliced clearance is flapped at by Scott Carson who completely misses the ball, but Robert Huth heads it over the bar.
Middlesbrough break and force a corner out of Villa right-back Craig Gardner.
The game has not really got going yet as both sides are trying to get a feel for the game.
Aston Villa can close the gap on Liverpool and Everton to five points and solidify their place in the top six if they win tonight while the visitors are in desperate need of a win and sit four points above relegation.
Kickoff
Referee Steve Bennett gets the game underway and Middlesbrough launch the ball forward.
Awaiting Kickoff
Boro's team: Schwarzer, Young, Huth, Wheater, Pogatetz, O'Neil, Boateng, Shawky, Downing, Sanli, Mido. SUBS: Turnbull, Rochemback, Cattermole, Johnson, Grounds
Awaiting Kickoff
Villa's team: Carson, Gardner, Knight, Laursen, Bouma, Maloney, Reo-Coker, Barry, Young, Agbonlahor, Carew. SUBS: Taylor, Mellberg, Harewood, Salifou, Osbourne
Awaiting Kickoff
Gareth Southgate makes three changes to the Boro side that lost to Cardiff on Sunday, with Julio Arca, Fabio Rochemback and Afonso Alves making way for George Boateng, Mohamed Shawky and Mido.
Awaiting Kickoff
Nigel Reo-Coker has shaken off a back injury to make Martin O'Neill's starting line-up, while Olof Mellberg returns to the bench. The only change made to the side that drew at Arsenal sees Zat Knight come in for the injured Curtis Davies.