Darius Vassell, an 80th-minute substitute, turned Aston Villa's world around last night in an astonishing finale at Villa Park. England under-18 international Vassell, who has never scored a first-team goal, equalised with 10 seconds of normal time remaining and three minutes later, after Alan Thompson had worked his way into the penalty area and had his shot parried, Vassell scored the winner to keep Villa's unlikely European hopes alive.

Earlier two goals in as many minutes midway into the first half from Anders Michelsen and Christer George had promised to make it a very nervy crossing for Villa when they span the North Sea to meet the Norwegians in a fortnight's time - though Gary Charles had buoyed their hopes with a precious goal seven minutes from time.

Stromsgodset played the last 22 minutes with 10 men after their defender Kenneth Karlsen was dismissed for a second bookable offence after holding back the Villa substitute Riccardo Scimeca.

Villa's audacious attempt to snatch Alan Shearer off the peg in Newcastle's autumn sales is an indication of John Gregory's ambition for the surprise early leaders of the Premiership.

Darren Byfield stepped in for his first game of the season occupying an emergency striking role for Villa in the continued absence of Stan Collymore and with Paul Merson cup-tied.

Stromsgodset are still fighting a battle against relegation back home in a domestic season which ends next month. Their defensive record is the worst in Norway's premier league and last night they were without the two players who would have been recognised in England, the former Sheffield United striker Jostein Flo (who is their only full-time player) and the one-time Chelsea defender Erland Johnsen.

In their previous three European visits to England Stromsgodset had conceded 21 goals, including an 11-0 thrashing at Liverpool in 1974.

Stromsgodset's problems were compounded early on when their midfielder Hans Erik Odegaard was carried off with his right leg strapped after a reckless challenge by Alan Thompson who was booked. Morten Kihle was then shown a yellow card for a rash challenge on Lee Hendrie.

Byfield and his striking partner Julian Joachim both went close for Villa against a cautious side playing with only Anders Michelsen up front.

But Michelsen soon caught Villa and particularly Gareth Southgate cold, cutting in from the right to outpace the England defender in the penalty area in the 21st minute. Mark Bosnich parried his first shot with his right hand but Michelsen cracked home the rebound.

Two minutes later the tiny knot of Norwegian fans were celebrating again as Rune Hagen crossed from the right for the substitute Christer George to make it 2-0.

Southgate headed over the bar from Thompson's corner and Joachim's pace continued to pose the Norwegians problems, but Villa's anxiety began to look like desperation as they poured forward.

George was booked for tripping Joachim but Stromsgodset somehow clung on, almost putting the game beyond Villa's reach when Bosnich had to spread himself to save Michelsen's shot from point-blank range on one of the visitors' rare counter-attacks.

Aston Villa: Bosnich; Charles, Southgate, Wright, Barry, Grayson (Taylor, 37); Draper (Scimeca, 67), Thompson, Hendrie; Joachim, Byfield (Vassell, 80).

Stromsgodset: Hansen; Waehler, Karlsen, Granas, Skistad; Solberg, Nyan, Hagen, Odegaard (George, 10; Strom, 71), Kihle; Michelsen.

Referee: H Strampe (Germany).