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Juan Pablo Angel scored a stunning equaliser then had a late penalty saved by Jussi Jaaskelainen as Aston Villa blew their chance of taking all three points in a 1-1 draw against Bolton.

After a turgid opening 45 minutes, the encounter exploded into life within a minute of the restart when Bolton striker Kevin Nolan ran on to a Kevin Davies flick-on, turned past Turkish defender Alpay and fired his shot into the corner of the net.

Villa goalkeeper Stefan Postma, who had come on as a substitute at the break after Thomas Sorensen was forced out of action with a side strain, found himself picking the ball out of the net before he had the chance to register a single save.

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But Villa got back on level terms just before the hour mark with a well-worked move which finished with Angel striking a superb shot into the top of the net from the edge of the area. Ticketmaster

The home side piled on the pressure in the closing stages and their efforts paid off when former Real Madrid defender Ivan Campo wrestled Angel to the ground in the 85th minute.

The Colombian striker's spot kick was struck firmly but too close to Jaaskelainen, who was able to save diving to his left.

Despite the save, Bolton boss Sam Allardyce could not contain his anger at what he saw as a major blunder by referee Rob Styles.

"I'm very disappointed because at the time I felt it was six of one and half a dozen of the other from them and now I've seen the television replays it was exactly that," Allardyce fumed. Ticketmaster

"From the position the referee was in he had the perfect view of both players pulling and tugging each other.

"It's a major decison that has gone against us and we're very fortunate that it hasn't cost us.

"It's on those major decisons that you judge whether a ref has had a good game or not."

Allardyce was nevertheless happy to see his point secure a point and score their first away goal of the season. Ticketmaster

"I'm glad we've broken the duck (away from home) and Kevin stuck it away well but I would like to have seen more goals on the board from the chances we've made.

"I suppose I'm happy with the draw in the end. Both sides failed to take chances in the second half and that's probably why we are where we are in the table."

Villa boss David O'Leary was equally perplexed by the penalty decision but less happy with his own players.

"If we'd have scored the penalty, it would have got us out of jail," the Irishman acknowledged.

"I don't know what a penalty is now. When the referees book people and blow for fouls you just take it.

"We got back into the game then had the penalty for three points which we probably wouldn't have deserved. Ticketmaster

"The players know they let themselves down performance-wise in the first half, but give them credit, they lifted their tempo and got back into the game."

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