West Brom 2 Aston Villa 2 - match report and pictures

An Ashley Westwood thunderbolt with 14 minutes remaining sealed the Villa comeback after Karim El Ahmadi had given Paul Lambert's side hope following two brilliant Shane Long goals that gave Albion a 2-0 half-time lead.

But the Baggies were left regretting two glaring misses from Stephane Sessegnon when goals would have given them a crucial third goal.

The game began in a crackling atmosphere and Albion made the dream when they went ahead with a sublime fourth-minute goal.

Chris Brunt's wonderful lofted pass found Long, who darted between Nathan Baker and Ciaran Clark before producing a wonderful touch to round Baker and an emphatic left-footed finish to beat Brad Guzan.

Goalkeeper Boaz Myhill had to come to the Baggies' rescue after a rare Villa attack as Aleksandar Tonev's shot deflected off Gareth McAuley's head and forced the Wales international gloveman into a fine reaction save.

But the hosts continued to dominate and they doubled their lead on 11 minutes with another excellent goal from Long.

The Irishman seized on a sloppy pass from Leandro Bacuna, tricked his way past a flat-footed Baker and beat Guzan with a magnificent chip.

Albion should have effectively wrapped up the game eight minutes later but Stephane Sessegnon squandered a glorious chance.

He arrived at the far post to meet Morgan Amalfitano's right-wing cross but failed to make a clean contact with the goal at his mercy.

Villa threatened to reduce the arrears when Libor Kozak collected a knock-down from Christian Benteke and let fly with a dipping volley that grazed Myhill's crossbar with the Baggies keeper back-peddling.

But the Baggies might have added to their lead just after the half-hour when Villa's defence opened up and Long charged through, eventually hitting a shot that was parried uncomfortably but effectively by Guzan.

Villa improved as half-time approached and they had a chance when a far-post shot found Benteke, who screwed his shot wide of the target.

The opening period of the second half was uneventful but just before the hour-mark Villa almost reduced the arrears moments after a triple substitution raised expectations among their fans.

One of the replacements, Andi Weimann, hit a 20-yard shot that deflected off Jonas Olsson and was turned behind by Myhill, who knew little about his save but was grateful to see the ball just creep past the post.

On 64 minutes Albion should have again eased the nerves of their fans when Amalfitano darted in from the left and fired the ball across the far of goal for Sessegnon, who blasted another excellent chance over the bar.

And with 23 minutes to play Villa halved Albion's lead with a messy goal.

Bacuna's cross hit the head of Albion's Claudio Yacob and fell nicely for El Ahmadi to force it home.

And on 76 minutes it was 2-2 as Westwood punished more terrible Albion defending.

Goran Popov headed a clearance into the centre of the field, where Westwood connected with a stinging long-range shot that curled away from the diving Myhill.

Albion showed attacking intent when left-back Popov made way for striker Victor Anichebe but they could not force a winner.