ASTON Villa conceded a last-minute equaliser to let slip an early advantage and draw the first leg of their Intertoto Cup third-round tie with Odense 2-2.

Martin O'Neill's men had looked like claiming a hard-fought win after Martin Laursen headed them ahead with 14 minutes remaining on a rainswept night.

Yet Villa's relief was shortlived as their impressive hosts refused to lie down and earned just reward for an enterprising display through Anders Moller Christensen.

It was Odense's second equaliser of the game after new signing Steve Sidwell had put through his own net on his competitive debut to cancel out John Carew's early effort.