Cohen rescues point for Trotters

Tamir Cohen marked his first start of the season by securing a point for Bolton in a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa at the Reebok Stadium.

He smashed the ball home from close range in the 59th minute after Aston Villa failed to clear a free-kick from Matt Taylor.

The visitors had taken the lead through Ashley Young but have now failed to win in 12 games in all competitions.

Bolton made a bright start and Matt Taylor sent a header into Brad Friedel's arms following a cross from Gretar Steinsson in the fourth minute.

Gavin McCann narrowly failed to pick out Kevin Davies with a free-kick, while at the other end James Milner saw his effort blocked by Cohen.

Bolton should have taken the lead in the 31st minute after Davies and Taylor combined on the counter-attack. Taylor delivered the ball into the path of Fabrice Muamba but the ball got stuck under his feet in the six-yard area.

Instead it was Young who made the breakthrough for Villa, curling in a shot for just outside the area and it went in off the post.

Young was growing in confidence and rattled in a shot in the 53rd minute that Jussi Jaaskelainen parried.

Bolton, however, drew level in the 59th minute with Cohen smashing the ball home from close range after Davies and then Andy O'Brien got on the end of a Taylor free-kick. Bolton then had appeals for a penalty waved away when Cohen was bundled over by Gareth Barry.

The home side were starting to look a real threat and Davies saw his header flash across the area. John Carew nearly scored the winner in the 85th minute but Jaaskelainen reacted superbly to tip his effort over the bar.