Everton 2 Aston Villa 2
Nothing between the best of the rest as Everton and Villa go head to head for a ticket to Europe.
This game had as much importance to these two sides as the top of the table clash between Chelsea and Manchester United yesterday. Everton started the day in the 5th spot with Villa 3 points behind them in 6th. The game was played on a water logged pitch at Goodison. It was a tough one to call as Everton have the home advantage and a decent record at home, and Aston Villa have scored 19 goals in their last 4 games home and away.
The first half was a cagey affair with both team making sure they do not concede. With the state of the pitch and the importance of the tie much of the same was expected in the second half but it was far from tight.
Phil Neville opened up the scoring straight away in the 2nd half. Everton broke free from the Villa defence. Neville struck a ball from the edge of the area hard and low, and got a lucky deflection off Martin Laursen. They held on to their lead for most of the 2nd half but on 80 minutes Gabriel Agbonlahor was on the receiving end of a Villa corner and tapped in the equaliser from close range.
It was not over as just 5 minutes from time Joesph Yobo found himself on the end of a cross from Lee Carsley and volleyed the ball passed Villa keeper Scott Carson. Villa were not going to sit back and let their closest rivals move away from them and just minutes later John Carew headed home the final goal from a cross by Gareth Barry.
This result confirms Liverpool’s qualification into the Champions League for next season.
Final score Everton 2 Aston Villa 2.
