Aston Villa 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur: Dawson goal

[www.guardian.co.uk]

Captain Michael Dawson's first goal of the campaign rescued a deserved point for Tottenham Hotspur after they had exerted relentless second half pressure against Aston Villa.

Gabriel Agbonlahor had given Martin O'Neill's side a half-time lead with his eighth goal of the season, bundling over from close range.

But the second half was completely dominated by the visitors as Villa often dragged all 11 players behind the ball before Dawson broke their resistance with a brilliant right-foot volley.

And only a series of excellent saves from Brad Friedel prevented Tottenham from chalking up their fourth away victory of 2009-2010.