Aston Villa 2, Arsenal 2: Bill Howell's Birmingham Mail verdict
But it was Villa, skippered for the first time in the league this season by Barry, who were by far the better team before the break.
They out-played their illustrious opponents but spurned chance after chance.
Steve Sidwell sent a bullet header against the crossbar and then the post from Ashley Young’s corner, and Curtis Davies took his eye off Barry’s cross when well placed as it smacked off his cheekbone.
An excellent Luke Young shot, deflected by Mikael Silvestre, was tipped over the crossbar by Manuel Almunia.
The Spaniard produced another fine save to deny GabbyAgbonlahor with Sidwell shooting the rebound at William Gallas.
The best chance of the game fell to James Milner as he latched onto a wonderful ball over the top of the defence by Ashley Young only for Almunia to tip it onto the post.
Davies hit the crossbar with a fine over-the-shoulder shot from the right edge of the area.
It was an attempt that could not have been better executed by a Brazilian on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro.
The came Sagna’s heroics with an acrobatic overhead kick off the line and back into Almunia’s arms after Agbonlahor beat everyone to Reo-Coker’s hanging cross.
And yet Villa quickly found themselves on the floor and completely out of the game.
Arsenal had produced so little but Reo-Coker’s poor play allowed Denilson in on goal and, despite a firm hand by Brad Friedel, the ball was in the back of the net.
Yet again Villa had failed to take the lead in a home fixture in a run stretching back to the opening day.
Four minutes after the re-start it was 2-0 with a brilliantly-taken goal by Diaby.
In his own half, Diaby scampered away from Petrov on the halfway line, Emmanuel Eboue raced to the edge of box, played a return pass beyond Knight, and Diaby did the rest with a superb shot over Friedel.
“We’ve only had two shots,” sang the disbelieving away fans.
Robin Van Persie then smacked the ball against the near post from 10 yards in what was a huge let-off for Villa as the home side were rattled with Davies producing a fine block to deny Eboue.
Then came the game-changing incident and one which enraged Wenger.
Milner’s long ball down the line saw Agbonlahior sprint clear of Gallas. The French defender produced a last-gasp sliding challenge that may possibly have taken some of the ball but Agbonlahor went to ground.
Barry composed himself and smashed home his 50th career goal for Villa to give them hope at a time when they had looked beaten.
Angry words were exchanged between the managers with O’Neill having to be kept from Wenger by John Robertson. Referee Lee Mason gave both men a stern lecture.
The crowd were now baying for blood, Villa raised their game and the supporters were ultimately rewarded with that last-gasp leveller of undoubted brilliance.
VILLA (4-5-1): Friedel 6; Reo-Coker 6, KNIGHT 8, Davies 7, L Young 7; Milner 7, Sidwell 7, Petrov 8, Barry 7, A Young 7; Agbonlahor 7. Not used: Shorey, Harewood, Delfouneso, Gardner, Salifou, Osbourne, Guzan.
ARSENAL (4-5-1): Almunia; Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Silvestre; Eboue, Diaby, Denilson, Song (Ramsey, 44), Nasri (Clichy, 82); Van Persie. Not used: Fabianski, Vela, Bendtner, Wilshere.
Referee: L Mason (Lancashire).
