Boro continue quiet progress

Aston Villa 1 Middlesbrough 2: New signing Steve Sidwell was again on target for Aston Villa but emerged every bit the villain after his mistake two minutes from time allowed Tuncay Sanli to grab the points for Middlesbrough with his second goal of the game.

The former Chelsea midfielder had cancelled out Tuncay's 34th-minute opener on his full league debut for the home side with an equaliser three minutes later, while the winner spared team-mate Afonso Alves' blushes after he was guilty of one of the misses of the season.

The Brazilian looked certain to score with eight minutes remaining after Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel had parried a low shot from Didier Digard, but somehow shot wide from five yards out and was immediately substituted.

James Milner, given a free role behind Gabriel Agbonlahor, had his best game for Villa since his €15million switch from Newcastle in August, but Boro played their full part in an open and entertaining gam, with Stewart Downing caused problems for Nigel Reo-Coker and Carlos Cuellar down the left flank.

Villa looked the more threatening in the early stages and it needed a good tackle by Chris Riggott to halt Agbonlahor inside the box after he had seized a pass from Sidwell.

Sidwell then released Gareth Barry but the England midfielder failed to make full contact with his left-footed drive which was comfortably saved by Ross Turnbull.

Boro came more into the game and it needed a superb tackle from Cuellar to halt Tuncay 15 yards out as he prepared to shoot.

Alves just failed to make contact with an inviting low centre from the impressive  Downing which flew across the box.

Ashley Young, in front of Fabio Capello's right-hand man Franco Baldini, won himself a free-kick just outside the box after being fouled by Jeremie Aliadiere.

The winger's curling attempt hit Gary O'Neil and was tipped over the bar by Turnbull. Barry's ensuing corner was met by Martin Laursen but his header skimmed past the post.

After 34 minutes a mistake by Nicky Shorey gifted the opening goal to Tuncay.

Downing whipped in a cross from the left flank which Shorey was first to react to, but he only deflected the ball into the path of Tuncay to crash a low shot past Friedel from eight yards.

The lead lasted just three minutes before Sidwell delivered the Villa equaliser.

Agbonlahor's initial goal-bound shot was cleared by Andrew Taylor but the ball broke to Milner and his measured cross to the far post was headed in by Sidwell.

Justin Hoyte and Tuncay then combined to free Alves who pulled his shot wide, while Friedel beat out a Downing drive as Boro finished the first half in the ascendancy.

Villa made a purposeful start to the second half and Agbonlahor gave a demonstration of his electrifying pace when skipping clear of Riggott after running onto a pass from Barry.

He burst into the box but just overran the ball and allowed Turnbull to position himself and block the eventual shot.

Milner continued to impress and turned past Pogatetz before delivering another dangerous centre but Sidwell's header which flew over the bar.

Barry was having more of an influence than in the opening 45 minutes and another good ball found Young in acres of space on the left but he overhit his pass for Agbonlahor and Turnbull was able to collect.

Barry then got to the byline and cut the ball back to Milner, whose first time drive forced a fine save out of Turnbull.

Aliadiere was booked for a foul on Young who was also then cautioned for bringing down O'Neil.

Young came to Villa's rescue when clearing a Riggott header off the line but Alves should have won the game for Boro when he amazingly shot wide with the goal at his mercy after Friedel had parried Digard's drive.

But with two minutes left Tuncay cashed in on an error by Sidwell to earn Boro the points.