Missed chances cost Aston Villa Under-23s as they settled for a draw against Middlesbrough in Premier League 2 at Bodymoor Heath on Friday afternoon.
George Gitau scored the opening goal for the visitors against the run of play, stabbing home after 30 minutes.
Carney Chukwuemeka had an effort cleared off the line and Jaden Philogene-Bidace headed wide when presented with an open goal as Villa racked up the chances.
And just when it looked as if it might not be Villa's day, Louie Barry tapped home at the back post to equalise after 77 minutes.
Middlesbrough started the game second in the table, but it was Villa who made all the early running at a rain-drenched Bodymoor Heath.
A smart-move released Tyreik Wright on the right-hand side of the box and after cutting inside, the winger tested Boro stopper Sol Brynn for the first time.
After 24 minutes, Chukwuemeka’s surging run towards the box was cynically ended when he was scythed down, with coach Mark Delaney aggrieved that the referee hadn’t played advantage with Villa on the attack.
However, Chukwuemeka was inches away from curling the resulting free-kick into the back of the net.
Middlesbrough had offered little going forward, but they snatched the lead with 30 minutes on the clock.
Rumarn Burrell broke into the box and squared the ball to Gitau, who prodded the ball past Akos Onodi at the second attempt.
The goal sparked the visitors into life, and Onodi saved well with his feet to stop Joe Gibson from doubling the lead.
Aaron Ramsey was introduced early in the second half and he looked to get Villa playing as they searched for a way back into the game., and they almost levelled on the hour mark as goalscorer Gitau was robbed by Philogene-Bidace in the box.
A clever backheel found Chukwuemeka, who rounded the goalkeeper and shot goalwards, only to see his effort acrobatically cleared on the goalline by a covering defender.
Frustration mounted minutes later when Philogene-Bidace headed Wright’s cross wide of the target when unmarked at the back post.
The chances were piling up for the hosts, with Kaine Hayden the next to try his luck, slamming the ball into the side netting after neat wing play by Barry.
Just as it looked as if they may not find a way through, Villa pulled level on 77 minutes when Barry turned home the rebound from Ben Chrisene’s shot.
The young striker had a further two fantastic chances to complete the turnaround in the closing stages, blazing the first over the bar after galloping onto Wright’s through ball before a desperate Boro defender deflected a close-range shot over the top of the goal.
Aston Villa: Onodi, Hayden, Bridge, D.Revan (C), Chrisene, Bogarde, Sylla (A.Ramsey 51'), Chukwuemeka, Philogene-Bidace (S.Revan 72'), Barry, Wright.
Subs not used: Marschall, Farr, Rowe.
