Peter Odemwingie scored a dramatic 83rd-minute equaliser as West Bromwich Albion came from 2-0 down to deny struggling Aston Villa a crucial win.

Christian Benteke's turn and shot from outside the penalty area put Villa ahead before Gabriel Agbonlahor doubled the lead with a composed finish.

Villa should have won - Lambert

But Chris Brunt's 20-yard effort sparked a fine Baggies fightback.

Odemwingie levelled from inside the six-yard area after Villa failed to clear a corner.

Although a point was enough to lift the visitors out of the relegation zone, it was a familiar story for Paul Lambert and his players.

Not for the first time this season Villa failed to secure three points after leading 2-0, and they remain in trouble near the bottom of the table.

In an absorbing West Midlands derby, they raced into a two-goal lead on the back of a gutsy performance full of youthful exuberance against a West Brom side that struggled to get going until the second half.

Benteke opened the scoring with a glorious 12th-minute finish, the Belgian producing a superb turn and strike from outside the area after Albion's defence had backed off.

Odemwingie ends goal famine

Peter Odemwingie's goal ended a personal goalscoring drought of 15 hours and 49 minutes without a Premier League goal

West Brom were a shadow of the side that started the season so well, and fell further behind when Agbonlahor drilled a left-foot finish beyond Ben Foster after turning inside Gareth McAuley.

Then Baggies keeper Foster produced arguably the turning point of the match when he denied substitute Eric Lichaj, a fifth-minute replacement for injured defender Nathan Baker, from making it 3-0 before half-time.

Brunt's 49th-minute side-foot finish in off the post from 20 yards began Albion's comeback, Odemwingie twice going close to scoring before rescuing a point with seven minutes remaining.

The striker, who was not called up by Nigeria for the Africa Cup of Nations, capped an excellent second-half display after turning inside the six-yard box to hammer the ball into the roof of the net following a header by McAuley from a corner.

The result at least stopped the rot for Villa after four defeats in their previous six league games.

Yet they are without a win in six matches and face two important ties against Bradford in the Capital One Cup semi-final and Millwall in the FA Cup before returning to league action against fellow strugglers Newcastle on 29 January.

Clarke pleased with derby point

But Lambert's side face a battle to stay up until they learn to see out games.

West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Clarke:

"We had a chance to regroup at a half-time. We knew the third goal would be crucial in the game and it came to us.

"We then had the momentum to get back in the game. At the end we were the team on the front foot and chasing the win.

"Villa were dangerous on the counter-attack, but if we're being honest the first half performance wasn't good enough and we should be happy with a point."

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert:

"We should have been four up. Some of the football we played was excellent. We gave that game a right good go, but we should have been out of sight in the first half.

"My players have taken a lot of knocks, but I have nothing but praise for them. They give me everything they've got. And the fans are right behind us.

"But you have to give West Brom credit. They haven't lost many games at home."

Lineup, Bookings (6) & Substitutions (6)

West Bromwich Albion

  • 01 Foster
  • 03 Olsson Booked
  • 06 Ridgewell
  • 23 McAuley
  • 28 Jones
  • 05 Yacob (Thomas - 35' )
  • 07 Morrison
  • 11 Brunt (Thorne - 90' )
  • 17 Dorrans Booked (Rosenberg - 82' )
  • 20 Lukaku Booked
  • 24 Odemwingie

Substitutes

  • 13 Myhill
  • 04 Popov
  • 25 Dawson
  • 30 Tamas
  • 14 Thomas
  • 15 Thorne
  • 08 Rosenberg

Aston Villa

  • 22 Guzan
  • 04 Vlaar
  • 06 Clark
  • 27 Bennett
  • 32 Baker (Lichaj - 5' Booked )
  • 34 Lowton Booked
  • 10 N'Zogbia (Holman - 66' )
  • 15 Westwood
  • 16 Delph (Bannan - 52' )
  • 11 Agbonlahor Booked
  • 20 Benteke

Substitutes

  • 33 Marshall
  • 30 Lichaj
  • 07 Ireland
  • 25 Bannan
  • 09 Bent
  • 14 Holman
  • 21 Bowery
Ref: Probert
Att: 25,583

Match Stats

Shots

25 11

On target

9 7

Corners

8 8

Fouls

8 10

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:15 Full time

Full Time The referee blows for the end of the match.

90:00 +2:33

Bradley Guzan takes the free kick.

90:00 +2:33 Substitution

Substitution George Thorne replaces Chris Brunt.

90:00 +2:33

The assistant referee flags for offside against Peter Odemwingie.

90:00 +1:52

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by James Morrison from the left by-line, save by Bradley Guzan.

90:00 +1:20

Eric Lichaj produces a cross, save by Ben Foster.

90:00 +0:36

Markus Rosenberg concedes a free kick for a foul on Joe Bennett. Bradley Guzan takes the direct free kick.

88:57

Outswinging corner taken by Chris Brunt from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Ciaran Clark. The ball is delivered by Chris Brunt, Peter Odemwingie produces a header from inside the area that goes over the crossbar.

88:37

Short corner taken by Peter Odemwingie from the left by-line.

87:39

Markus Rosenberg gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ron Vlaar. Free kick taken by Ron Vlaar.

86:48

Effort from the edge of the box by Romelu Lukaku goes wide of the left-hand post.

86:17

Outswinging corner taken by Barry Bannan, clearance by Gareth McAuley.

82:57

Assist by Gareth McAuley.

82:57 Goal scored

Goal - Peter Odemwingie - West Brom 2 - 2 A Villa A goal is scored by Peter Odemwingie from close range to the top left corner of the goal. West Brom 2-2 Aston Villa.

82:28

Corner taken by Chris Brunt, Gareth McAuley takes a shot.

81:05 Substitution

Substitution Markus Rosenberg on for Graham Dorrans.

79:55

Brett Holman has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box missing to the wide right of the goal.

78:50

Jerome Thomas produces a cross, Shot from deep inside the area by Peter Odemwingie clears the bar.

77:20

Peter Odemwingie has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

75:50

Unfair challenge on Billy Jones by Barry Bannan results in a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Chris Brunt from right channel, save by Bradley Guzan.

75:13

Effort on goal by Brett Holman from long range goes harmlessly over the bar.

72:58

Shot from outside the area by Chris Brunt misses to the left of the target.

71:47

Effort from outside the box by Chris Brunt goes wide right of the target.

70:50

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Chris Brunt, save by Bradley Guzan.

69:43

The ball is sent over by Peter Odemwingie.

66:45

Peter Odemwingie has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the goal.

65:39 Substitution

Substitution Brett Holman comes on in place of Charles N'Zogbia.

65:39

Shot from inside the area by James Morrison clears the bar.

64:50

Graham Dorrans has an effort from just inside the box that misses to the left of the goal. Chris Brunt takes the outswinging corner, Jonas Olsson takes a shot. Clearance made by Joe Bennett.

63:34

Corner taken by Barry Bannan from the right by-line, Gareth McAuley manages to make a clearance.

63:03

Chris Brunt gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Barry Bannan. Free kick taken by Ron Vlaar.

61:43

Ron Vlaar takes the free kick.

61:43 Booking

Booking The referee shows Graham Dorrans a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

61:39

Free kick awarded for a foul by Graham Dorrans on Gabriel Agbonlahor.

60:37

Direct free kick taken by Jonas Olsson.

60:37 Booking

Booking The referee shows Matthew Lowton a yellow card.

60:33

Matthew Lowton challenges Peter Odemwingie unfairly and gives away a free kick.

60:12

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Ashley Westwood from the left by-line, save by Ben Foster.

59:25

Ashley Westwood takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Liam Ridgewell.

58:18

Gabriel Agbonlahor takes a shot. Save made by Ben Foster.

57:35

Chris Brunt crosses the ball in from the free kick, clearance by Joe Bennett.

57:35 Booking

Booking Eric Lichaj is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

57:27

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jerome Thomas by Eric Lichaj.

56:58

Corner taken by Barry Bannan, clearance made by Liam Ridgewell.

55:38

Centre by James Morrison, clearance by Barry Bannan.

55:05

Jerome Thomas sends in a cross.

53:32

Effort on goal by Gabriel Agbonlahor from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the goal.

52:31

The referee blows for offside. Ben Foster takes the free kick.

51:41 Substitution

Substitution Barry Bannan is brought on as a substitute for Fabian Delph.

51:41

Jerome Thomas has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

48:44

Romelu Lukaku provided the assist for the goal.

48:44 Goal scored

Goal - Chris Brunt - West Brom 1 - 2 A Villa Chris Brunt finds the net with a goal from just outside the box to the top left corner of the goal. West Brom 1-2 Aston Villa.

47:37

The ball is swung over by Liam Ridgewell.

45:51

A cross is delivered by Jerome Thomas, save by Bradley Guzan.

45:01

The game restarts for the second half.

45:00 +3:08 Half time

Half Time The referee calls an end to the first half.

45:00 +2:04

Chris Brunt takes a shot. Save made by Bradley Guzan.

45:00 +1:55

The ball is delivered by Liam Ridgewell, clearance made by Matthew Lowton.

45:00 +0:52

Romelu Lukaku takes a shot. Blocked by Ciaran Clark.

42:30 Booking

Booking Romelu Lukaku shown a yellow card.

42:27

Romelu Lukaku challenges Charles N'Zogbia unfairly and gives away a free kick. Matthew Lowton takes the direct free kick.

42:04

Eric Lichaj takes a shot. Save by Ben Foster.

41:46

The ball is swung over by Gabriel Agbonlahor, save by Ben Foster.

40:44

Effort from outside the penalty box by Graham Dorrans goes wide right of the target.

39:10

Christian Benteke gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Gareth McAuley. Ben Foster takes the direct free kick.

37:04

Shot by Graham Dorrans from outside the box goes high over the target.

34:53 Substitution

Substitution Jerome Thomas joins the action as a substitute, replacing Claudio Yacob.

33:24

Ashley Westwood concedes a free kick for a foul on Graham Dorrans. Chris Brunt delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from left channel. James Morrison produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the target.

32:33

Shot from just outside the box by James Morrison goes over the crossbar.

32:00

Graham Dorrans produces a drilled right-footed shot from 20 yards. Save by Bradley Guzan.

30:41

Charles N'Zogbia provided the assist for the goal.

30:41 Goal scored

Goal - Gabriel Agbonlahor - West Brom 0 - 2 A Villa Gabriel Agbonlahor finds the back of the net with a goal from just inside the area to the bottom right corner of the goal. West Brom 0-2 Aston Villa.

29:18

Peter Odemwingie fouled by Joe Bennett, the ref awards a free kick. Chris Brunt delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right channel, save made by Bradley Guzan.

28:35

Billy Jones fouled by Charles N'Zogbia, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Ben Foster.

27:43

The ball is swung over by Joe Bennett, Christian Benteke takes a shot. Ben Foster makes a comfortable save.

26:29

Ashley Westwood takes the inswinging corner, Ron Vlaar produces a header from deep inside the six-yard box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

24:02

The official flags Romelu Lukaku offside. Indirect free kick taken by Bradley Guzan.

23:16

Peter Odemwingie has shot on goal from just outside the penalty box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

22:42

Christian Benteke challenges Billy Jones unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Gareth McAuley.

21:32

The assistant referee signals for offside against Christian Benteke. Ben Foster restarts play with the free kick.

20:33

The ball is sent over by Joe Bennett, Gareth McAuley manages to make a clearance.

20:33 Booking

Booking Gabriel Agbonlahor is given a yellow card.

20:33 Booking

Booking The referee cautions Jonas Olsson for unsporting behaviour.

19:21

The ball is sent over by Gabriel Agbonlahor, Jonas Olsson gets a block in.

17:35

Foul by Charles N'Zogbia on Claudio Yacob, free kick awarded. Ben Foster takes the direct free kick.

17:08

Peter Odemwingie concedes a free kick for a foul on Joe Bennett. Bradley Guzan restarts play with the free kick.

16:03

James Morrison has an effort at goal. Bradley Guzan makes a save.

15:28

Corner from the right by-line taken by Chris Brunt, Christian Benteke manages to make a clearance.

14:28

Charles N'Zogbia fouled by Chris Brunt, the ref awards a free kick. Matthew Lowton takes the free kick.

13:22

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Ashley Westwood from the left by-line, Liam Ridgewell makes a clearance. Fabian Delph has an effort at goal. Ben Foster makes a comfortable save.

13:04

Claudio Yacob produces a drilled right-footed shot from 35 yards. Comfortable save by Bradley Guzan.

11:29

Charles N'Zogbia provided the assist for the goal.

11:29 Goal scored

Goal - Christian Benteke - West Brom 0 - 1 A Villa Christian Benteke grabs a goal from outside the area to the top right corner of the goal. West Brom 0-1 Aston Villa.

8:37

Gabriel Agbonlahor fouled by Gareth McAuley, the ref awards a free kick. Charles N'Zogbia crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from left wing, clearance made by Jonas Olsson.

7:55

Romelu Lukaku sends in a cross, save by Bradley Guzan.

5:03

Ron Vlaar makes a clearance.

5:03 Substitution

Substitution Eric Lichaj joins the action as a substitute, replacing Nathan Baker.

5:03

Corner taken left-footed by Chris Brunt,

3:20

Romelu Lukaku takes a shot. Blocked by Ciaran Clark.

1:56

The referee blows for offside. Jonas Olsson takes the indirect free kick.

0:57

Effort from 20 yards by Fabian Delph. Billy Jones gets a block in. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Ashley Westwood from the left by-line, Jonas Olsson fouled by Christian Benteke, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Jonas Olsson.

0:25

Gabriel Agbonlahor produces a cross.

0:00

The game kicks-off.

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