Megson makes his point

GARY MEGSON insists he will not be making radical changes in his bid to get Bolton away from the relegation zone.

The former Leicester manager had to settle for a point in his first match as manager following a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa at the Reebok Stadium.

While Bolton have now won only one game in 11 Premier League matches, at least they are off the bottom on goal difference as Derby lost to Everton.

Megson said: “There is not going to be a revolution here, just evolution. It would be a mistake on my part to change too much too quickly.”

Bolton were again grateful to France striker Nicolas Anelka, who made the breakthrough in the 21st minute with his sixth league goal of the campaign.

He rifled home a glorious free-kick from the edge of the area and although goalkeeper Stuart Taylor got a hand to the ball he could not prevent it finding the net.

However Megson was disappointed Bolton failed to build on their lead with substitute Luke Moore equalising in the second half.

The home side were left stunned when a throw-in was awarded to Villa, which Ashley Young took quickly. He released Gabriel Agbonlahor whose cross found Moore, who equalised.

Megson said: “What bothered us is we would like to have been told it was not our throw.

“The linesman put the flag up one way and the referee has overruled him.

“It would have been better if he had told our players he had overruled it but these things happen.”

Villa manager Martin O’Neill was pleased with the way his side responded in the second half.

He said: “We raised the tempo, got the goal and I thought we deserved something from the game.”

BOLTON (4-4-2): Jaaskelainen 6, J O’Brien 7, Meite 7, A O’Brien 6, Gardner 6, Nolan 7, Campo 7 (Speed 65, 6), McCann 6 (Guthrie 71, 5), Davies 7, Anelka 7 (Samuel 79, 5), Diouf 8.

Subs Not Used: Walker, Guthrie.

ASTON VILLA (4-4-2): Taylor 6, Mellberg 6, Knight 6, Laursen 5, Bouma 6, Petrov 6, Osbourne 5 (Moore 45, 6), Barry 7, Young 5, Agbonlahor 8, Maloney 5 (Berger 45, 6).

Subs Not Used: Sorensen, Harewood, Davies.

REFEREE: Martin Atkinson (West Yorkshire) 6: Bolton were unhappy with the build-up to Villa’s equaliser, and understandably so. An uneven performance.