Middlesbrough's chances of Premier League survival took a huge hit as Aston Villa held them to a 1-1 draw at the Riverside.

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The home side made a fantastic start to the match when Tuncay Sanli's outrageous 14th minute bicycle kick gave them a deserved lead.

But John Carew's 58th minute equaliser got Villa back on terms and it was Villa who looked more likely to secure a winner in an entertaining, end-to-end final half hour.

For Gareth Southgate's team, the result leaves them needing a handsome win at West Ham next weekend and for both Hull and Newcastle to lose. They require a five-goal, goal difference swing required to usurp the Tigers.

Middlesbrough peppered the Villa box with endless speculative balls in the opening stages and it was only a matter of time before chances began to fall with Tuncay heading Gary O'Neil's powerful cross just over the bar.

Boro's early endeavour was almost undone, however, when Gabriel Agbonlahor found himself through on Boro keeper Brad Jones. The England international went for the nutmeg, but ended up clattering the ball against the keeper's legs.

Just four minutes later, however, Middlesbrough took the lead as Stewart Downing's shot deflected into the air before falling towards Tuncay and the Turkish striker's extraordinary overhead kick flew clean past Brad Friedel and into the far side of the net.

Boro continued to dominate but Stewart Downing left the field after 28 minutes with a foot injury.

Justin Hoyte had a decent effort nodded just over on 37 minutes, and shortly afterwards striker Marvin Emnes was brought down clumsily in the box by Carew though referee Mike Riley adjudged the incident not to have been a foul.

A brief spell of dominance for Villa before the end of the half gave the visitors something to build on and they came out after the break with renewed purpose.

And their continual probing of the Boro defence paid dividends on 58 minutes as Carew danced though with the home defenders nervous of conceding a penalty. The Norwegian did well to find some space to poke home from six yards.

From then on Villa dominated both possession and chances with Agbonlahor again wasting a golden chance with a weak shot and Ashley Young trying to round the keeper when a shot was begging to be hit

Tuncay came close again in the final few minutes with a lob that landed agonisingly on the roof of the net but there would be no way through and Boro's 11 year stay in the top flight now is on the verge of coming to an end.