Zico led CSKA Moscow draw to Aston Villa

The Zico-led era of CSKA Moscow started with a 1-1 draw to Aston Villa in UEFA Cup action Wednesday evening. The important "away goal" at Villa Park is potentially a decider for the Army-Men with the second half of the tie at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow next Thursday.

For much of the match Zico's side was obviously rusty and Villa controlled much of the run of play with the trio of Russian internationals, Sergei Ignashevich, Alexei Berezutsky and Vasili Berezutsky holding a strong back-line along with surprise starter, seventeen year-old Georgi Shchennikov. However fifteen minutes in Vágner Love was the recipient of Yuri Zhirkov's provision, with the Brazilian finishing with a powerful drive into the net to take a 1-0 lead. However following the goal, Villa was clearly directing the match with Army-Men's inactivity along with questionable fitness levels showing. After Gabriel Agbonhalor missed a point blank effort on the half hour, scoring threats waned through to the break.

At the restart Villa continue to run the match and both Georgi Shchennikov and Sergei Ignashevich made some superb last ditch efforts to push the ball aside of Igor Akinfeev's goal. With twenty-three minutes remaining Alan Dzagoev sprung Alexei Berezutsky free with a well weighted through ball but the Russian internationals effort in on the Villa goal was askew. Only two minutes later Villa found the equalizer as John Carew closed out Craig Gardner's re-directioin of a Ashley Young and the match was level. Without a further score the match concluded with a 1-1 draw and returns to Moscow next week for the crucial decider.