A first-half header from midfielder Birkir Bjarnason earned Aston Villa a share of the points from a 1-1 Championship draw with Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

The hosts took a 16th-minute lead when Andreas Weimann’s mazy dribble was halted on the edge of the Villa box and the ball broke to Josh Brownhill, who sent a low right-footed shot into the net from 20 yards, with goalkeeper Orjan Nyland looking at fault.

But Villa hit back in first-half stoppage-time when Callum O’Dowda was penalised for a needless foul and Conor Hourihane’s driven free-kick from the left was nodded powerfully home by Bjarnason from the centre of the box.

A draw was a fair result to a game which saw both teams exert periods of pressure, but home fans appeared happier at the final whistle.

City created the first chance when Weimann’s header from close range went wide in the fifth minute, but Villa responded quickly and Jonathan Kodjia’s shot against his old club was blocked.

Tammy Abraham, also playing against his former team, had the ball in City’s net after 10 minutes, but was penalised for fouling goalkeeper Niki Maenpaa.

Then came Brownhill’s goal and Matty Taylor might have made it 2-0 a minute later when his left-footed volley was directed straight at Nyland, who had hesitated coming off his line.

Hourihane fired wide from distance for Villa and in the 22nd minute Abraham’s shot from 20 yards forced a diving save from Maenpaa.

Kodjia, who began on the right flank, was booked for a poor challenge to the delight of home fans, who had been baiting him from the start.

Hourihane was keen to try his luck from long range, but his next low effort was straight at Maenpaa.

The home side’s high-pressing game had caused Villa problems, but the visitors also threatened and Bjarnason’s equaliser put the outcome in the balance.

Villa fans and players appealed in vain for a penalty when a 51st-minute free-kick from the left caused a scramble in front of City’s goal.

But the visitors were now on top and John McGinn’s volley brought a diving save from Maenpaa.

Taylor picked up a booking for a scything tackle as the game became feisty. The striker was replaced by Famara Diedhiou after 69 minutes when boss Lee Johnson also introduced Jamie Paterson for O’Dowda.

City had wrestled back a measure of control and Steve Bruce responded by sending on Yannick Bolasie for Kodjia with 15 minutes remaining.

Still Johnson’s men pressed and Adam Webster headed over from a corner to the near post.

But Villa almost won it in the 89th minute when Hourihane’s 25-yard drive flew just wide with Maenpaa motionless.