SHEFFIELD: Milan Baros scored his first Aston Villa goal in eight months, as Martin O'Neill's team managed a 2-2 draw against Sheffield United to move up to eighth place in the English Premier League on Monday.

It was Villa's 10th draw in 17 games while the deadlock enabled Neil Warnock's Sheffield United to move one place away from the relegation zone to 16th. Villa went ahead in the second minute when Chris Sutton's shot struck the heel of teammate Baros and the ball rolled to Stilian Petrov, who drove home from 20 metres for his first goal in the Birmingham side colours.

Sutton headed a ball against the crossbar and Sheffield United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny thwarted Gary Cahill as Villa dominated the first half.

But Warnock's Blades rallied in the second half and equalised five minutes after half-time. Stephen Quinn scored from 10 metres after Villa defender Liam Ridgewell failed to clear a long throw from Rob Kozluk.

Danny Webber made it 2-1 for Sheffield in the 64th minute, redirecting a ball home after Chris Morgan had headed on a cross from Keith Gillespie.

The lead lasted only a minute, however, as Sutton headed down a cross from Steve Davis for Baros, who converted from six metres. — AP

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