It finished honours even at Villa Park tonight as Southampton scored a late equaliser to claim a 1 - 1 draw at struggling Aston Villa.

Gabriel Agbonlahor gave Villa the lead in the 29th minute when he took advantage of a bad mistake by Saints goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

But England full-back Nathaniel Clyne scored a vital equaliser for Southampton when he finished off a flowing attack in the 81st minute to deny Villa a first win in eight matches.

The result leaves Southampton second but six points behind runaway league leaders Chelsea.