Hampered by the surprise exit of manager Sam Allardyce, Bolton were keen to claim a place in the UEFA Cup as they met Aston Villa at the Reebok Stadium on the final day of the Premiership. The 2-2 draw was enough to guarantee a UEFA Cup spot for the Wanderers because Reading and Portsmouth failed to win their respective matches.

Gary Speed, who has been included in the coaching staff under Sammy Lee, put the home team ahead on the 32nd minute from eight yards out. Speed’s finish was clinical and at that point Bolton deserved to go ahead. However Villa, who have improved vastly under Martin O'Neill, hit back in the 37th minute through Craig Gardner's neat volley after he collected a long ball in the Bolton half.

Kevin Davies tapped in his 8th goal of the Premiership this season after the Villa defence failed to clear a long ball from their own half. That goal on the 58th minute appeared to have sealed a Bolton win as Villa tried to get back, but were ably thwarted by the Bolton back four.

But against the run of play, Villa equalized in the 81st minute after Luke Moore latched onto a superb cross from Young to send in a clinical strike from the edge of the box. Kevin Nolan could have sealed the Bolton win, but his shot skewed wide off the Villa goal.

Bolton manager Sammy Lee said his team performed reasonably well given the fact that Villa had won their last three away games. "I have said on many occasions that credit must go to the players. They have remained focused on the job. They way they've adapted to the circumstances has been fantastic," he said.

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill was delighted with his team who came from behind to finish in the top half of the table this season. "Overall I am very pleased with the team considering I had just two weeks to work with them before the season kicked off. We're improving and if we continue to do so it augurs well," he added.