Ahmed Elmohamady's late goal helped Aston Villa secure a vitally important 1-1 draw with Newcastle United on Wednesday.

Newcastle were on course for a second straight home victory when Dwight Gayle converted Andy Carroll's assist by firing past Orjan Nyland.

But Villa showed the determination needed to avoid relegation and were rewarded when Elmohamady's glancing header beat Martin Dubravka.

The result moves 19th-placed Villa on equal points with Bournemouth and West Ham United.

Speaking after the game, Villa boss Dean Smith was disappointed his team didn't win all three points.

He said: "It feels like two points dropped. I thought we were the much better team in the first half and if we score one of them chances we have, I think it's very difficult for Newcastle to come back.

"But when you go a goal down and you have to chase it. We get a goal back and we threw the kitchen sink at them in the end as we tried to get the winner.

"We showed great character and a great spirit and fight by the players to come back into it. The two combining for the goal was pleasing."