SAM Allardyce put Jussi Jaaskelainen on top of the world after seeing the Mighty Finn keep his Champions League dream alive.

Jaaskelainen, who is in talks over a new Reebok contract, earned what could prove a vital point for Wanderers at Aston Villa on Saturday, keeping them within striking distance of fourth-placed Everton and even nearer to claiming a UEFA Cup place.

It was a virtuoso performance that, according to Allardyce, confirmed the Finland international as not only one of the best goalkeepers in the Premiership, but also the world.

"He is one of the top, top goalkeepers in the Premiership, not only for his ability but for his consistency," the manager said.

"His overall game has got better and better as the years have gone on. His maturity has got better, his decision making and his consistency level now make him one of the top goalies in the world, as far as I am concerned."

Jaaskelainen felt he was impeded when Fernando Hierro headed into his own goal to put Villa in front on 26 minutes but he turned the game seven minutes later when he denied Darius Vassell, getting the better of the England striker in the kind of one-on-one duel that has become his trademark, and went on to produce five more stunning saves.

"He single-handedly made sure we got a point," Allardyce added. "His one-on-one save from Vassell and some of his saves against (Juan Pablo) Angel were magnificent.

"It's good to see him in such good form."

Jaaskelainen, who turned 30 last week, is the longest serving member of the current Bolton squad, having joined Wanderers from the Finland club, VPS Vassa, in November, 1997.

He still has two years to run on his current contract but there has been speculation for some months that he could be sold in the summer. Last week, his agent, Peter Harrison, said talks over a new deal had stalled and that the player was "considering his future", although Jaaskelainen has always said he and his family are so settled in Bolton that he would happily see out the rest of his career with Wanderers.

Gary Speed, who ended an eight-month wait for his first Bolton goal to rescue a point with a second half header at Villa, paid a personal tribute to the Reebok number one.

"He's a fantastic keeper," said the veteran midfielder. "He made five or six brilliant saves. We were disappointed we didn't get the win but, saying that, Jussi got us out of the mire a few times.

"Every good team needs a good goalkeeper and we've certainly got that.

"He's obviously up there in the top two or three. You don't realise how good a player is, whether a goalkeeper or an outfield player, until you play in the same team and Jussi certainly comes into that category.

"He's a fantastic professional, who works hard at his game."