Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry says ref Steve Bennett should be praised for reversing a penalty decision during last night's victory over Hull City.

Bennett dramatically awarded Hull an injury-time penalty and then changed his mind as Aston Villa grabbed yet another late win in their bid to break up the big four.

The referee pointed to the spot after Luke Young diverted a corner on to his own bar as Ashley Young jumped on the line with his hands in the air.

Seven furious Villa players surrounded Bennett while captain Gareth Barry went to talk to the linesman - and when the referee also went to speak to his official he signalled a goal-kick instead.

It meant Martin O'Neill's side hung on to go level on points with Manchester United and three ahead of Arsenal thanks to an 88th-minute Kemil Zayatte own goal.

Barry said: "I don't think I've ever seen a referee change a decision before - it certainly doesn't happen very often - but he deserves a lot of credit.

"I've seen the replay and the ball clearly hit the bar and not Ashley's hand so all credit to him."