Soccer-Young saves point for Villa in 1-1 draw with Blacburn

LONDON, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Ashley Young scored with a well-taken free-kick after 73 minutes for Aston Villa who fought back to draw 1-1 with Blackburn Rovers in the only Premier League match played on Saturday.

Blackburn wasted a great chance to take the lead when Matt Derbyshire saw his 24th minute penalty saved by Scott Carson in front of watching England manager Fabio Capello.

Blackburn did go ahead, however, in the 68th minute through Roque Santa Cruz, who slotted home a rebound after Carson parried a shot from David Dunn. It was his 11th goal of the season, 10 of which have been scored away from home.

Victory would have lifted Villa above Everton into fourth spot in the table, but instead they moved up from fifth to sixth, a point above Liverpool who have two games in hand.

After 23 games Manchester United lead the table with 54 points ahead of Arsenal on goal difference.

Chelsea are third with 50 points followed by Everton (42), Villa (41 from 24 games) and Liverpool (40 from 22).

(Writing by Mike Collett, Editing by Ken Ferris)