Aston Villa were denied all three points when Theo Walcott scored a late goal for Everton to deny them all three points at Goodison Park. In my preview I discussed how it would be a game of who wanted it more, which Villa seemed to until they sat too deep and invited pressure once they took the lead through Ezri Cons.
Dean Smith made just one change from the team that beat Crystal Palace as Matt Targett replaced the injured Neil Taylor.
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Pride & heart
Everton boss Carlos Ancelloti wrote how he wanted his side to show some pride and heart following their no show in their defeat to Wolves.
The hosts seem to take that message on board from the off as striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin went close with an overhead kick very early on.
Everton went close again a few minutes later as they looked to expose the wings when Bernards cross come shot bounced off the top of the bar.
They weren’t the only side showing heart and pride though as it was far from one way traffic. Both Trezeguet and Mbwana Samatta were wasteful though, the story of Vila’s season.r
Out the blocks
Villa came out for the second half with far more attacking intent as they looked to take control of the game.
Villa captain Jack Grealish went close but Seamus Coleman forced him to cut back inside as he dragged his effort wide.
On the hour mark, Smith introduced Anwar El Ghazi and Keenan Davis who would prove to have a say in the final result.
Substitute impact
Davis was proving a problem for the Everton defenders and he was soon pulled down and Villa were awarded a free kick. Conor Hourihane whipped a beautiful ball in where Cons got his foot to the ball and past Jordan Pickford.
Villa should have doubled their lead moment llater when Grealish crossed from the left but somehow El Ghazi put the ball back across the goal when it looked easier to score.
The Everton substitutes were not going to be outdone though when Walcott scored a looping header as he beat Targett in the air to give the home side a share of the points.
It leaves Villa three points from safety, instead of the one as they come away looking at another game with a what if mentality. Arsenal are up next before a final game at West Ham.
