Villa held by Basle

Basle scorer Gimenez challenges Villa defender Alpay

FC Basle 1-1 Aston Villa

Aston Villa will be favourites to win a coveted Uefa Cup place after securing a hard-fought draw in Switzerland.

Captain Paul Merson scored Villa's vital away goal after an hour, side-footing home from close range after the keeper had spilled a venomous shot from Hassan Kachloul.

The home side restored parity 15 minutes from time when Christian Gimenez scored a goal that mirrored Merson's earlier effort.

Villa made only one change from the side that beat Rennes in the semi-final last Wednesday.

Enigmatic French midfielder David Ginola dropped to the bench, with Mustapha Hadji making his first start since his move from Coventry.

We had to try and keep a clean sheet and nick an away goal - the latter we managed to do

John Gregory

Peter Enckelman continued in goal as Peter Schmeichel was still troubled by a calf injury.

Enckelman was quickly called into action as Basle made a bright start.

Murat Yakin, who constantly troubled Villa full-back Mark Delaney, set up brother Hasan with a delicious chip.

The Basle striker advanced to the edge of the area and shot powerfully with his left foot, but Enckelman got down well to save.

Ten minutes later, Argentinian Christian Gimenez beat Enckelman with a low, curling shot that shaved the right-hand post.

But Villa should have taken the lead moments later when Hadji missed a glorious opportunity.

Merson crossed from the right and the Moroccan toe-poked wide from just two yards out.

There were few chances during the rest of the half, although Basle finished strongly, with the impressive Murat Yakin twice going close.

The second half was as evenly contested as the first, but Villa managed to take the lead after 59 minutes.

Kachloul fired a powerful low drive from the left corner of the area that keeper Zuberbuhler could only parry and Merson was on hand to side-foot into an unguarded net from six yards out.

The home side should have equalised soon after when Tchouga found himself unmarked inside the area only to fire wildly over the crossbar.

But Basle made no mistake 15 minutes from time. Substitute Carlos Varela made a forceful run into the area before unleashing a powerful shot that Enckelman could not hold.

Gimenez pounced on the rebound to side-foot home from close range.

Gregory refused to blame his goalkeeper for the goal.

"What happened was one of those things that can occur from time to time," he said.

"I think he had a very good game tonight. He certainly showed us his potential and the belief we have in him."

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Basle: Zuberbuhler, Quennoz, Olivier Kreuzer, Tchouga, Hakan Yakin, Gimenez, Murat Yakin, Aziawonou, Cantaluppi, Ergic, Chipperfield. Subs: Huggel, Vila Varela, Tum, Barberis, Knez, Degn, Crevoisier.

Aston Villa: Enckelman, Delaney, Wright, Barry, Alpay, Boateng, Kachloul, Dublin, Merson, Hendrie, Hadji. Subs: Stone, Vassell, Ginola, Angel, Samuel, Staunton, Myhill.

Referee: Eric Romain (Belgium).