ASTON VILLA 1 (Sidwell, 37)

ASTON Villa missed out on the chance to climb into a Champions League spot as two- goal Tuncay earned Middlesbrough a 2-1 victory at Villa Park this morning.

The Turkish star capitalised on a dreadful mistake by Steve Sidwell with two minutes remaining to earn Boro their second away success of the season.

Sidwell had cancelled out Tuncay's 34th-minute opener on his full league debut for the home side with an equaliser three minutes later.

But Tuncay's late winner spared team-mate Afonso Alves' blushes after he was guilty of one of the misses of the season.

The Brazilian looked certain to score with eight minutes remaining after Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel had parried a low shot from Didier Digard, but somehow shot wide from five metres out and was immediately substituted.

James Milner, given a free role behind Gabriel Agbonlahor, had his best game for the club since his £12 million ($30m) switch from Newcastle in August.

Entertaining game

But Boro played their full part in an open and entertaining game and Stewart Downing caused problems for Nigel Reo-Coker and Carlos Cuellar down the left flank.

Villa looked the more threatening in the early stages and it needed a good tackle by Chris Riggott to halt Agbonlahor inside the box after he had seized a pass from Sidwell.

Sidwell then released Gareth Barry but the England midfielder failed to make full contact with his left-footed drive which was comfortably saved by Ross Turnbull.

Boro came more into the game and it needed a superb tackle from Cuellar to halt Tuncay 15 metres out as he prepared to shoot.

Ashley Young, in front of Fabio Capello's right-hand man Franco Baldini, won himself a free-kick just outside the box after being fouled by Jeremie Aliadiere.

The winger's curling attempt hit Gary O'Neil and was tipped over the bar by Turnbull.

After 34 minutes a mistake by Nicky Shorey gifted the opening goal to Tuncay. Downing whipped in a cross from the left flank which Shorey was first to react to, but he only deflected the ball into the path of Tuncay to crash a low shot past Friedel from eight metres.

The lead lasted just three minutes before Sidwell delivered the Villa equaliser. Agbonlahor's initial goal-bound shot was cleared by Andrew Taylor but the ball broke to Milner and his measured cross to the far post was headed in by Sidwell.

Villa made a purposeful start to the second half and Agbonlahor gave a demonstration of his electrifying pace when skipping clear of Riggott after running onto a pass from Barry.

He burst into the box but just overran the ball and allowed Turnbull to position himself and block the eventual shot.

Barry then got to the byeline and cut the ball back to Milner, whose first time drive forced a fine save out of Turnbull.

Young came to Villa's rescue when clearing a Riggott header off the line but Alves should have won the game for Boro when he amazingly shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

But with two minutes left Tuncay cashed in on an error by Sidwell to earn Boro the points.

PA Sport

Teams:

Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Davies, Laursen, Shorey (Harewood 70), Reo-Coker, Sidwell, Barry, Milner, Agbonlahor, Young.

Middlesbrough: Turnbull, Hoyte, Pogatetz, Riggott, Taylor, Aliadiere, Digard, O'Neil, Downing, Sanli, Alves (Arca 83).