Milan Baros scored his first Aston Villa goal in eight months and Martin O'Neill's team captured a 2-2 draw at Sheffield United on Monday to move up to eighth place in the English Premier League.

It was Villa's 10th draw in 17 league games while the point enabled Neil Warnock's United to move one place away from the relegation zone to 16th.

Villa went ahead in the second minute when Chris Sutton's shot struck the heel of teammate Baros and the ball rolled to Stilian Petrov, who drove home from 20 yards for his first goal in the colours of the Birmingham side.

Sutton headed a ball against the crossbar and United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny thwarted Gary Cahill as Villa dominated the first half.

But Warnock's Blades rallied in the second half and equalized five minutes after halftime. Stephen Quinn scored from 10 yards after Villa defender Liam Ridgewell failed to clear a long throw from Rob Kozluk.

Danny Webber made it 2-1 for Sheffield in the 64th minute, redirecting a ball after Chris Morgan had headed on a cross from Keith Gillespie.

The lead lasted only a minute, however, when immediately after the ensuing kickoff, Sutton headed down a cross from Steve Davis for Baros, who converted from six yards.

© The Canadian Press, 2007