Villa fight back to snatch point
Aston Villa 3 Everton 3
Aston Villa came from 3-1 behind to stage a dramatic comeback in a thrilling game against Everton at Villa Park. Both sides went into the game looking for a victory with Villa needing to make some ground up on Arsenal in fourth spot, and Everton looking to leapfrog Villa in fifth position.
Villa made one change to the side that lost at Old Trafford last weekend with Zat Knight replacing the injured Carlos Cuellar in central defence to partner Curtis Davies. Gabriel Agbonlahor was passed fit after suffering from a virus throughout the week.
The game began slowly with both teams canceling each other out but after a quarter of an hour, It was Everton who began to assert control of the game. Jo won a corner off Curtis Davies on 15 and a long range shot from Phil Neville stung the fingertips of Friedel in the Villa goal. Everton took the lead on 19 minutes when Marouane Fellaini slotted home Leighton Baines’ cross. The unmarked fellani couldn’t miss from just a few yards out and was completely unmarked.
Everton came close to doubling their lead on 22 minutes when Gareth Barry was beaten by Tim Cahill in midfeld and his shot was pushed behind by Friedel for a corner. Cahill did double the lead for Everton from the resulting corner when he got his head to Steven Pienaar’s corner. Once again, the Villa defence were too slow to react.
Villa fans must have feared a drubbing at this stage with Villa looking totally out of sorts and Everton bright and confident. But against the run of play, John Carew scrambled the ball home from five yards out. Finally Villa began to wake up and there was more urgency in their play. On thirty five minutes, Carew flicked on to Barry and the Villa skipper’s ball was just beyond Agbonlahor. Villa showed plenty of spirit to try and level the game just before half time by winning four corners..but Everton held on and went into the interval 2-1 ahead.
Eight minutes after the break, Everton went 3-1 in front thanks to Steven Pienaar. He easily turned Luke Young and shot past the unmoved Friedel from 20 yards. But Villa gave themselves hope when they replied immediately. A sensational James Milner free kick from nearly 30 yards out brought the score to 3-2. The goal rejuvenated the home side and Villa were awarded a penalty on 66 minutes when Stiliyan Petrov looked to have been kicked in the face by Everton defender Lescott. Gareth Barry stepped up, puffed out his chest and hit a fierce penalty straight down the middle and into the net past a stranded Howard.
It was Villa who looked the most likely side to grab a late winner as the match swung from end to end. Ashley Young shot narrowly wide on 73 minutes after good work from John carew. And young Villa striker Nathan Delfouneso seemed to lack a little bit of self-belief when when he shot tamely at Howard after 76 minutes.
The young Villa striker had Villa’s best chances to steal a late winner. A James Milner ball on 87 minutes was met by Carew who flicked it on to Delfouneso who didn’t quite have the conviction to win the ball and slot it home. Delfouneso should have done better on 90 minutes when his shot was straight at Howard when he may have done better. Right at the death, Villa came close when Petrov’s graceful cross found Milner but he headed wide under pressure from the Everton defence.
Villa Ratings:
Brad Friedel - 5 - Again looked edgy and slow to react to things.
Luke Young - 4 - He’s being turned far too easily and Everton seemed to have done their homework well to recognise this.
Nicky Shorey - 6 - I thought he was steady again for Villa and tried to come forward to deliver balls when possible.
Curtis Davies - 5 - I’m struggling to recall the last time he had a really commanding day in defence for Villa. Seems to be still affected by his shoulder injury.
Zat Knight - 5 - Some fans were happy to see that Cuellar wasn’t playing today. I’m not sure Knight did much better.
Stiliyan Petrov - 6 - Struggled in the early stages of the match and failed to protect the defence. Did better in the second half.
Gareth Barry - 7 - Looked sluggish at times in the first half but much more promising in the second. Well composed penalty kick and looked to get Villa back into the match.
Gabriel Agbonlahor - 5 - Struggling after a virus this week but fair play to him for working hard for the side.
John Carew - 7 - A threat again for Villa. Took his goal well and looked to create chances. Led the line well and was a handful for the Everton defence.
James Milner - 7 - Even when things weren’t going his way, he stuck bravely to his job and he deserved his spectacular goal.
Ashley Young - 7 - Again looked lively but was also guilty of some poor deliveries and really needs a goal.
Sub:
Nathan Delfouneso - 5 - Inexperience told. I thought he should’ve done much better with the two opportunites he had to give Villa the lead.
