Everton are left in seven position after this draw at Villa park. Still in a strong position to qualify for Europe. At the end it felt like a defeat. In a first half, which Everton dominated, we should have come off the pitch a couple of goals to the good at the interval, having a blatant penalty not given, and missing some guilt edged chances.

Without the exciting Manny Fernandes, who reported back injured from International duty, (No it wasn't the 'if he plays another game we have to pay £20m in the Summer' rumour, spreading around the massive traveling Everton support.) Everton had Phil Neville in midfield with a welcome return for Tony Hibbert. Everton roared on by their fans from the start, took control from the start with some neat football by Carsley and Osman. Both Ossie and Vaughany having early shots on goal.

Enter Mikel Arteta! The Spanish genius was on fire tonight. Every time he got the ball he produced the goods. His passing was sweet, his skill breathtaking. Out of a dozen outstanding bits that should all make the showboating slot on Soccer AM, two were truly world class. One pass to Ossie in the second half whilst he had his head down and was getting hacked by a couple of Villa mortals was stupendous. How did he see it? The other was a piece of brilliance, that would be in the Brazilian book of tricks in Ronaldinho had performed it. Trapped by the touchline and the incoming McCann and seemingly nowhere to go except for a simple pass back to defence, Mikky chipped the ball with the deftest touch across McCann's chest along the touchline. In an instant he was away. He was only stopped by the outstretched hand of McCann, who tried to swap shirts with him there and then. The former Everton player was given the yellow card and substituted at half time for his troubles.

Everton took the lead when a whipped in free kick by Arteta (who else?) was flicked on by Andy Johnson and found it's way through a crowd of players to Roger at the back stick. He adjusted well to head home. He ran away ecstatic, showing the Villa fans, who had been giving the ex-Wolves man a bit of stick, his name of the shirt, then went into a body popping routine, which he needs to work a little on. 1-0 and cruising. Everton should have capitalised on their pressure at this time.

Johnson and Vaughan were running the Frankensteinesk Mellberg and and the decent Cahill ragged. Surprisingly they were having success in the air, but could not turn it into goals. Vaughan hit a great dive that shaved the post, Ossie had a goal ward bound shot deflected wide. Arteta set up Neville but he hit his shot just wide. Corner followed freekick. Most taken by Arteta were excellent and just needed a bit of luck for a second goal it didn't come. Arteta stoked a ball to Johnson, who was on it like a flash, but was scythed to the ground from behind by Petrov, we all waited for the ref to blow for a penalty. For some reason it didn't come. Everton went in 1-0 up at half time, but it should have been more.

Half-Time: Villa 0 EVERTON 1

The second half ex-redshite Berger came on for the beaten McCann and made a difference. Villa came out of the blocks like a different side, but were helped by an Everton side, who seemed happy to camp on their 18 yard box, giving up valuable space for the Villa runners to move into. Howard, a spectator in the first half, earned his corn with some smart saves. Everton were giving away free kicks and this put Villa on the front foot.

It was fully 12 minutes before we had any possession, which resulted in a Vaughan volley flying high over the bar. Everton started to get more into the game and had a efforts from Carsley, Osman, Vaughan and Arteta, but all failed to hit the net. Villa still had most of the play, but the Everton defence stood firm.

It was Villa's turn to have a succession of corners and free kicks. Everton were living on the edge. The equaliser came with 8 minutes left on the clock. Carew who had been a handful in the second half got a shot in. It was well saved again by Howard, but the ball broke to Agbonlahor, who stroked it into the empty net. 1-1.

Everton could not reply. Johnson and Vaughan were dead on their feet by now. A change may have rescued something. It would have saved the young striker from a booking. The inability to take our chances when on top in the first half cost us points. Everton had some great performances. At the back, Howard, Stubbs and Lescott were in top form. Tony Hibbert slotted straight in to his full back roll. Lee Carsley was always in the thick of it and Vaughany and Johnson ran themselves ragged upfront. Man of the match was Mikel Arteta, whose performance tonight was top drawer.

Full -Time: Villa 1 EVERTON 1

IF ANY EVERTON FAN WANTS TO WRITE A REPORT OF ANY OF THIS SEASON'S GAMES, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DO SO. JUST E-MAIL IT TO info@bluekipper.com AND WE WILL PUT IT ON THE SITE.

Fan's Match Report By Dave Willoughby

So a trip to Villa Park, never been a happy hunting ground for Everton in recent seasons. After a good performance against Arsenal confidence was clear to see in the early exchanges. The team seemed balanced, Hibbert's welcome return was only
marred by the absence of Fernandes. Neville reverted back to his holding role in the centre of the park, otherwise unchanged from the Arsenal game.

Flowing football is the only word to describe the first half, Villa could not get the ball off an Everton side who looked dangerous when ever they came forward, orchestrated by the Man of the Match Arteta. Vaughan grew in confidence as the half wore on, in particular a bustling run and shot from 20 yards shaved the outside of the post, Sorensen clutching at thin air!! Johnson was his usually mobile self, always looking to get in behind a lack lust Villa defence. At the back Hibbert, Stubbs, Yobo and Lescott were their usual solid unit, full marks to Moyes.

The breakthrough was nt long in coming, 15 minutes in, a foul down the left resulted in a free kick which Arteta delightfully delivered into a cluster of bodies. The ball found its way to the back post where the impressive Lescott made no mistake heading past a stranded Sorensen 1 - 0.

This seemed to breath some life into a Villa side obviously low in confidence, Howard was called on on occasions but there seemed no real threat. The only major talking point of the half was a blatant penalty waved away by Howard Webb, Arteta again involved taking a quick free kick into Johnson who on the turn received a tackle from behind from former Celtic midfielder Stillian Petrov. As Moyes put it after the game " just another one added to the collection"

HT Villa 0 Everton 1

The second half began with the home side applying some spirited pressure and once again the Everton side in particular the back four stood strong and looked to play in Johnson and Vaughan at every opportunity. A concern with Johnson is his hold up play, to be honest at the moment its non existent, but we know he's not that type of player and need to more selective with our final ball into him. Vaughan again started the second half brightly, all throughout winning headers. As the half wore on Villa sustained the pressure, Everton began to loose possession cheaply, Vaughan began to tire, the arrival of Beattie or Victor looked imminent?? Never materialized!! Why?? An equalizer arrived in the shape of Agbonlahor after Howard had thwarted a Carew effort, the striker tapped in from 8 yards. The game seemed to peater out and i think the home support along with the Villa players welcomed the final whistle.

In conclusion to be honest I'm disappointed with the share of the points, after a commanding first half display we should and could have kicked on to wrap the game up!!

Stand Out Performances - Arteta, outstanding. Vaughan, improving with every game. Carsley, solid again. Lescott, safe as houses plus his first of many goals for the club.

Question - Why did nt Moyesy change things, maybe Victor or Beattie may have given us that finishing touch!!
Dave Willoughby

Brum Blue Reports From Villa Park

 

Today's Blue Kipper Star Man

Star Man

Stats

Goals

Bad Boys

Prem Table

1st Goal

 

Solid

 

Missing

 

Safe

What Do you think The Score Will be?     How Will the game pan out?     Who Will Score the goals?   e-mail info@bluekipper.com before the match. Keep it short and to the point.

* Everton to win 2-0, Osman and Arteta,. I got 400 quid on it! Benn "sparky" Hughes

* 3-1 Everton….AJ, Fernandes, and a Yobo header from a corner. Cheers. Isle of Man Blue

* Alright lads, I think the score will be a very edgy 1-0 with AJ scoring. Stevie P - KIRKBY

* I've always hated Villa since League Cup 1977 & enjoy beating them almost as much as the shite! (maybe not) Anyway 1-0 win tonight from Arteta free-kick. Dave Roberts

* 2-0 to the blues, AJ an Fernandes COYB. Deako

* I have a feeling in my waters that we will turn out a good performance tonight and come back with 3 points and a few more goals for. Scores on the doors 3 - 0 AJ, Vaughany and a cameo from Biffa with a pen. Cork Blue Mícheál

* 3-0 to Everton. Vaughan, Johnson & Fernandes. Ahmed Doghem