West Bromwich Albion 2 Aston Villa 2: match report Lambert must still be applauded for his decisiveness, for a reorganisation of resources that resembled the sort of masterstroke occasionally used by Jose Mourinho. There was now no margin for error, no safety net should any of his players suffer injury. Lambert went for it. Karim El Ahmadi pulled one back and then Ashley Westwood equalised with his first goal for Villa, a superb strike from 25 yards. It was the reverse of last season when West Brom had come from behind. Now it was the visiting section awash with joy. "Two-nil and you cocked it up,"" came the chant from the Villa fans towards their hosts. It will be little consolation to West Brom fans that they had just experienced a classic derby but they should take pride from their performance for almost an hour, for a strong finish when they hammered away at Brad Guzan's goal late on. They should derive some pleasure from the memory of a scintillating start when Long bullied Villa defenders, particularly Nathan Baker. His opener came within three minutes via a majestic first touch, controlling Chris Brunt's perfect 40-yard pass. Long's touch did more than kill the ball's momentum; it totally wrong-footed Baker. The space created, Long wasted no time in powering a left-footed shot past Guzan. The speed and power of the goal carried echoes of Alan Shearer in his no-nonsense, muscular pomp. Villa's defenders were culpable, particularly Baker. Within eight minutes it was Leandro Bacuna erring, the right-back sending a mad cross-field ball that Long picked off. Again Baker was bypassed. If Long's first touch for his opener had West Brom fans singing, his exquisite finishing touch for his second took their breath away. Calmly, unerringly, Long dinked the ball over Guzan. Villa's defence was so poor that it was a minor miracle that they reached half-time with no further damage. The unmarked Stéphane Sessègnon wasted a wonderful chance, shovelling the ball wide. Long continued to scare the life out of a Villa defence that has been one of the club's stronger points this season. Such was Long's threat that Baker hoofed the ball hurriedly out. The Villa centre-half showed more conviction with his next challenge, sliding in to dispossess Long, who just smiled and searched his next opportunity. Long's movement was not simply central; he worked the flanks at times, particularly the right. "Sign him up,"" chanted the West Brom fans, highlighting the club's strange reluctance to sort out a new deal which led to a brief liaison with Hull City. Steve Clarke clearly wants to retain the significant services of Long, even keeping Saido Berahino, Nicolas Anelka, Victor Anichebe and Matej Vydra on the bench. Only Anichebe came on. Villa's attack was anaemic in comparison. Christian Benteke is still in only third gear, not the driving force of last season. The Belgian did flick one ball on before the break, neatly controlled by Libor Kozak but his half-volley clipped the bar. It was a rare attack of note by Villa. It was West Brom, charging towards the Smethwick End, who threatened to score again. Long stormed through again, bringing a save from Guzan. "You should have gone to the market,"" chanted the Albion fans, suggesting their visitors would have enjoyed the evening more at the German stalls in the city centre. As Michael Oliver signalled half-time, the Villa contingent briefly showed some dissent with a few boos. Their mood altered when the cavalry in claret and blue arrived. Agbonlahor replaced the ineffectual Kozak, Weimann took over from Aleksandar Tonev while Delph came on for Yacouba Sylla. A wave of hope swept through the Villa fans. Weimann immediately went close. West Brom fans continued to chant about being the "pride of the Midlands," continued to enjoy the attacking of their team, though sighing when Sessègnon shot over after 64 minutes. Big moment. From the brink of going 3-0 down, Villa made it 2-1 within three minutes. Bacuna and Weimann worked the ball through to El Ahmadi, who steered his shot past Boaz Myhill. Now it was West Brom rueing hesitant defending. Now it was Villa believing. Agbonlahor's pace kept Albion's defenders wary. Weimann went flying down the right, curling in a cross clutched at his near post by Myhill. Clarke sought to stiffen his centre, withdrawing Sessègnon and sending on James Morrison, who immediately released Long but his shot thudded into Guzan's midriff. The force was with Villa, who drew level with 14 minutes remaining. Goran Popov's weak headed clearance from an Agbonlahor cross was seized on by Westwood, who took a touch to tee the ball up and then sent a shot spearing between Myhill and the keeper's left-hand upright. This was Westwood's first goal for Villa; further signalling his rise to prominence was the fact that his previous goal came in League Two for Crewe Alexandra against Swindon Town 20 months ago. The visiting fans were loving it, jumping up and down and chanting "all dance if you love Villa." Clarke twisted again, sending on Anichebe for Popov, trying to regain all the points. Albion pressed forward relentlessly, requiring one particularly important clearance from Benteke. Villa held firm. Lambert's changes had worked.