Aston Villa had to come from behind to rescue a point for the third game running at Villa Park to finish 2-2 with Everton tonight. In a game that you wouldn’t exactly call a classic, it’s a point that may prove academic in the race for 4th place since Spurs inexplicably beat Arsenal 2-1 at White Hart Lane. Who saw that coming? Not me anyway.

Both of Everton’s goals came courtesy of Tim Cahill’s head following some extremely slack defending from the home side at set pieces. The opener, in the 23rd minute, came very much against the run of play, just as Villa were looking to gain some traction at the other end of the pitch.

A foul on the left lead to a free kick being whipped into the mix and Tim Cahill found himself in acres of space, just yards out from a helpless Brad Friedel. Serious questions need to be asked.

That goal very much took the sting out of Villa’s play, and the game more or less limped through to half time with neither side particularly asserting themselves. By the break, it was very even statistically, the possession, for instance, was literally 50/50. However, Tim Howard had made two exceptional saves early in the half and on the balance of quality chances, it would have been no more than Villa deserved had they headed into half time with the lead.

After the interval, it was clear that Everton were going to sit deep, defending what they had with the hope of punishing anything too adventurous from Villa on the counter attack. Sadly, breaking down stubborn opponents is not our forte and passing the ball from one side of the pitch to the other before giving up possession cheaply or firing in a poor cross was the order of the day.

David Moyes was forced to make a couple of substitutions with Heitinga withdrawing for young Rodwell in the 50th minutes and Louis Saha coming on in place of Yakubu just after the hour mark. Villa adapted to the changes and then continued to probe for an opening.

Eventually the persistence paid off when James Milner found himself in a little space in a central right position and sent a beautifully weighted ball in which Gabby just needed to redirect into the far corner of the net and he made no mistake.

Amazingly, Everton immediately surged forward looking for a second goal and Richard Dunne was forced to make an exceptionally aggressive saving tackle which also took Stephen Warnock out in the process, leaving the left back in some pain.

Dunne conceded a corner in the process and the ball was whipped in for the Australian once more, who this time was being shadowed by Ashley Young. Tim Cahill might not be a big player, but he’s notoriously good in the air and he’ll beat Young in that duel every day of the week. Again, questions will be asked.

Warnock was forced to retire with 12 minutes of normal time left and Martin O’Neill was willing to roll the dice by sending Nathan Delfouneso on and pretty much played a 3-4-3 in an attempt to get back on terms. It was difficult to tell at times, Milner seemed to have taken over throw in responsibilities on the left, but it did appear that the 3 centre backs stretched out to form a recognisable back three. Young Delfouneso occupied a more right sided role.

In the end though, it was Ashley Young, who’s delivery had been been frustrating throughout the game, who sent a wicked cross into the box and any sort of touch would have been enough to take it past Tim Howard. Ad that’s exactly what happened; Phil Jagielka getting any kind of touch – unfortunate would be my guess – to gift Villa a point just inside injury time.

5 minutes of added time were not enough to make any further change to the scoreline, despite both sides looking to steal it at the death.

And so it finished, 2-2, the third stalemate between Everton and Villa on the bounce.

A draw is not the end of the world. However, I suggested earlier that a weakness of proclaiming a need to win the next 6 games to obtain a top 4 finish is that the motivation possibly evaporates the moment you fail to win one of those games. When it’s the first of 6, then what?

Even more down heartening is the fact that Tottenham somehow managed to defy the odds and take all three points at home to Arsenal, although Danny Rose’s goal is worthy of being part of a winning effort in all honesty. It really was something quite special. Goal of the month, possibly the season.

It’s not over yet and there’s still some more drama to come, but 4th is looking increasingly unlikely and 5th or 6th will be a challenge in itself. 6 points on the road at Portsmouth and Hull will set us up nicely for the derby game at Villa Park and then we’ll see what a trip to Eastlands and a final game at home to Blackburn can offer.

Fat lady? Never heard of her. Wouldn’t speak to her if I had!!

UTV

Edit: Sorry, I forgot to say that I’ll get a Statshack out tomorrow and it’s also time for the final installment in the This Season vs Last Season series. To quickly put things into a little perspective if you’re feeling underwhelmed right now:- we have 55 points from 33 games which remains a point more than last season at the same point and, possibly more importantly, was only bettered by 92/93, 95/96 & 96/97 at the same stage.

So, at this point, this is the best league season for 13 years!!