Phillips starts four-goal rush

With unseasonable rain driving down on an uncertain home crowd, debutant Kevin Phillips soon lifted the gloom, nodding home Aaron Hughes’ superb arcing cross. And five minutes later the former Southampton striker teed up Steven Davis for Villa’s second. Unfortunately, Ivan Campo and Kevin Davies both scored in between and although the game inevitably fizzled out, it was Real Bolton that will consider themselves unlucky not to grab all three points after a late disallowed effort from Kevin Nolan.

Defeat would have been harsh on Villa, and particularly Phillips who enjoyed a fruitful debut. The 32-year-old has scored on his last two debuts and took just four minutes to continue that record after a flowing right-wing move that culminated in Nolberto Solano playing in another payer making his bow, Aaron Hughes, who crossed to the far post where Phillips was free to head in.

David O’Leary would have been delighted with the start but a familiar chagrin soon returned when Davies hooked the ball into the net after a throw-in two minutes later. Ivan Campo soon rose to head Gary Speed’s corner home rendering O’Leary seething. “We practice set-plays until 12 o’clock on Friday, working on getting people to head away because you know when the game stops it’s going to go in your box,” the Irishman said. “We didn’t do that and looked vulnerable all through the game - they could have scored more.”

Bolton’s back four were little better and within a minute of Campo’s header, another flowing attack from Villa saw Gareth Barry's deft pass find Phillips by the by-line, and he laid the ball back for Davis to volley beyond Jussi Jaaskelainen. Davies almost restored Bolton’s lead soon after, while Hughes almost put the ball into his own net, but the game began to peter out thereafter.

Villa could have had a penalty before the interval, but referee Mike Riley waved play-on when Nicky Hunt caught the impressive Jlloyd Samuel. While Villa’s five substitutes remained sheltered from the rain, Sam Allardyce brought on Jay-Jay Okocha for Campo ten minutes into the second period and the ploy soon wrought dividends when the Nigerian playmaker’s throw-in fell to Nolan whose header was turned away by Sørensen. The Danish goalkeeper saved Villa once more - this time a header from Davies - while Nolan headed into the net but was denied a winner by a dubious offside flag.

Allardyce was certainly in no doubt. “It’s a major decision that has gone against us. It is hugely disappointing." Mention of the impending arrival of Hidetoshi Nakata soon brought a huge smile to a huge face though. “Another nationality. We’ll have 15 different nationalities then, five regions and a fantastic menu in the canteen.” Czech food is hardly inspiring but it is not deterring O’Leary from upping his pursuit of Milan Baroš.

Villamad man of the match: Kevin Phillips