Villa came from behind to grab a share of the spoils on a largely frustrating night at Villa Park.

Gareth Barry's second-half penalty secured the point, cancelling out a first-half opener from Stewart Downing.

In all it was a disappointing 90 minutes as Villa struggled to recapture the impressive form from the recent trip to Arsenal.

After a scrappy start to proceedings Gardner headed Young's right-wing cross behind for a corner on six.

Laursen failed to connect with a hanging free-kick from Bouma three minutes later.

Mido fired wide from the edge of the box on 11, after Carson had foiled Tuncay, saving with his legs.

Schwarzer came off his line to gather Maloney's left-wing centre on 14 as Boro only half cleared Barry's corner from the right.

Carew prodded Maloney's left-wing cross goalwards three minutes later, but Wheater cleared for the visitors.

Shawky fired over the bar from the edge of the box on 19.

Barry's low drive was blocked by Huth on 22 as Villa searched for a breakthrough.

Downing put the visitors ahead on 23, latching onto a weak clearance from Knight, cutting in from the left and firing low past Carson.

With Villa struggling to create chances, Young fired wide from the edge of the box on 28.

Agbonlahor met Carew's flick on 33, but sliced a low shot wide of the upright.

Knight's superbly timed challenge denied Tuncay a minute later.

Young's free-kick was charged down by the Boro wall on 36.

At the other end Shawky fired narrowly wide with a rising effort from 25 yards on 38.

Carew almost levelled matters on 43, but saw his low shot blocked by Schwarzer. He fired over from the rebound.

O'Neill made a double switch at half-time with Mellberg and Harewood on for Gardner and Maloney.

Schwarzer comfortably gathered a Young free-kick on 47.

Huth almost directed a Harewood cross past his own keeper two minutes later.

Mido should have doubled Middlesbrough's lead on 52, but somehow fired over from close range as he met a Downing cross from the left.

Carson raced off his line to deny Tuncay on 58.

Skipper Barry fired narrowly over the bar as he raced onto a Carew flick on 64.

Schwarzer punched a Young free-kick behind on 67. The Boro keeper then saved from Young seconds later.

Villa were offered a way back into the game on 72 as Luke Young appeared to handle an Ashley Young shot. Barry made no mistake from the spot.

Schwarzer plucked a Young cross out of the air on 76, but as Carew looked to pounce.

Villa pushed for a winner as the seconds ticked away, though Schwarzer was hardly busy.

Knight's header was deflected onto the roof of the net in stoppage time. The former Fulham defender then failed to direct Barry's corner goalwards.

VILLA: Carson, Gardner, Bouma, Laursen, Knight, Reo-Coker, Maloney, Barry, Young, Agbonlahor, Carew. Subs: Taylor, Mellberg (for Gardner ht), Harewood (for Maloney ht), Salifou, Osbourne.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer (booked 73), Young, O'Neil, Pogatetz, Boateng (BOOKED 83), Mido (booked 73), Huth (booked 90), Shawky (booked 29), Tuncay, Downing, Wheater. Subs: Turnbull, Rochemback, Cattermole (for Mido 83), Johnson, Grounds.