Aston Villa face a difficult task in the second leg of their UEFA Cup tie against CSKA Moscow after they were held to a draw by the Russian outfit at Villa Park. The visitors took the lead through the inevitable Wagner Love in the first half before John Carew struck with twenty minutes left to restore parity.

Martin O'Neill elected to rest Brad Friedel and put his trust in Brad Guzan in goal. James Milner pulled out ahead of the game with a thigh problem while Heskey, Laursen, Reo Coker and Cuellar were all absent through injury. There was a return at left back for Villa's forgotten man, Nicky Shorey, and Craig Gardner came in midfield to replace the suspended Sidwell, in behind a strike force of Carew and Agbonlahor. CSKA, coached by Brazilian legend Zico, were without the suspended Semberas and Grigoriev while new signing Tomas Necid was ineligible. They played a 4-5-1 with UEFA Cup top scorer Wagner Love at the cutting edge. It was the Army Men's return to  competitive football since their season ended in November.

The game got off to an open and exciting start, with both teams apparently eager to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Villa applied some early pressure with Ashley Young very much in verve on his left side but the Midlanders were undone by a classy chesslike move by the Russians, which started deep in their half and was expertly finished by Love, with a helping hand from Alan, the promising youngster playing in support of the Brazilian. With the all important away goal in the bag as early as the 14th minute, the Russians started sitting back slightly and were happy for Villa to make the play while trying to catch them again on the break. That suited their quick style of play, with Zhirkoz, Dzagoev and Aldonin playing in triangles looking to set up Wagner Love again. The Midlanders struggled to create chances in the first half in spite of Young's industry on the wing. The former Watford man the main threat, flashing crosses for Carew to feed on but CSKA were alert to the Norwegian's menace in the air. He only had one glimpse of goal on 34 minutes but his header sailed just over.

The Russians started the second half in threatening mood, with Zhirkov rifling a shot marginally wide after only three minutes. The Russians' quick one touch football was proving a handful for Villa defensive midfield and Wagner Love was still loitering with intent, ready to pounce at every opportunity. But Villa were still on top and Gardner, a few minutes later, should have leveled the score with a free header at the far post on a corner kick but the crossbar denied him. Villa kept at it with A. Young again at the heart of nearly every dangerous Villa move. His cross on the hour mark nearly fell to Agbonlaghor for a simple tap in. The Midlanders were finally rewarded for their perseverance with twenty minutes to go, when Gardner knocked back a loose ball in the box for Carew to instinctively strike across goal past Akinfeev, who will have been disappointed to see that one go in.  At 1-1, Villa tried to  press late on to snatch a winner with Carew and Agbonlahor trying their luck but they couldn't craft many chances, with Zico taking off Alan and Aldonin for some fresh defenders. The Russians easily held out for the draw.

Villa will probably have recovered some of their absentees for the return leg at the Oleg Luzhniki Stadium next week and Martin O'Neill will have more options, with Milner, Heskey and Sidwell probably available. The Russians will have a slight advantage coming into the game but Villa will know they too can score away from home, having just set a record away win series in the league. CSKA looked very lively for a side that hasn't had much competitive football since November and the outcome of this tie is very much in the balance after this result.