Aston Villa held on to fifth place in the Premier League after a 1-1 draw with Bolton at the Reebok Stadium

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Villa took the lead late in the first half when Ashley Young's cross evaded everyone to sneak past Jussi Jaaskelainen but the hosts levelled on 60 minutes through Israeli winger Tamir Cohen.

The result keeps Villa two points ahead of sixth-placed Everton after the Toffees lost 2-1 at home to Manchester City.

An even first half ebbed and flowed with Bolton starting the stronger before Villa - who seemed to lack confidence to begin with - came back into it.

Trotters midfielder Fabrice Muamba went close with two shots from the edge of the box, both of which were dealt with by Brad Friedel, while James Milner and Young spurned chances for the visitors.

Emile Heskey then put wide for Villa after a knock-down by John Carew as the visitors came closer to an opener.

They took the lead on 43 minutes when Young cut inside from the left wing and clipped a right-foot cross that just missed the head of Carew and whistled past the wrong-footed Jaaskelainen into the bottom right.

The second half started in similar fashion although Bolton reverted to the direct approach they had briefly abandoned later in the opening 45 minutes.

It paid off on the hour mark when a Matt Taylor free-kick, launched high into the box from the right, was headed up in the air by Kevin Davies and knocked down by Andy O'Brien for Cohen to finish from close range.

Bolton began to take control and dominated the next 25 minutes but, for all their efforts, were unable to craft any clear-cut opportunities.

Villa had their backs against the wall but, with five minutes left, they almost snatched a winner when Carew's header from Nicky Shorey's cross was tipped over the bar by Jaaskelainen.

The latter stages saw both sides tire and fail to exert any meaningful pressure and the draw sees Villa and Bolton stay fifth and 13th respectively.