Everton played host to an Aston Villa side short on confidence and struggling at the foot of the Premier League at Goodison Park this afternoon.
The Villans had taken just two points from their previous seven games, but for most of the afternoon they looked like the team chasing Champions League football.
However, their nerves kicked in as the Blues applied late pressure, allowing Marouane Fellaini to nod home the equaliser in injury time.
You can read below how all the action unfolded.
Good afternoon! Welcome to Sports Mole for live coverage of the Premier League, which today sees us pitch up at Goodison Park for Everton's clash with Aston Villa.
It's the 196th time these two clubs have played in top-flight competition, making it the most-played fixture in English top-flight football.
Aston Villa have 72 victories to Everton's 71, with 52 draws between them. The two clubs are the only ones to reach over 100 years of accumulated top-flight football. In this statistic, it's Everton who lead on 110, while Villa have 102. Liverpool are third on 98 years.
Anyway, enough with what's passed. We have some team news for you. We'll start with the visitors.
Anyway, enough with what's passed. We have some team news for you. We'll start with the visitors.
ASTON VILLA: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Bennett, Westwood, El Ahmadi, Agbonlahor, N’Zogbia, Weimann, Benteke
Subs: Given, Sylla, Bent, Holman, Bowery, Dawkins, Baker
Subs: Given, Sylla, Bent, Holman, Bowery, Dawkins, Baker
Both of Villa's new signings start on the bench today. Andreas Weimann will partner Christian Benteke in attack, while Karim El Ahmadi goes straight into the side after returning from duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Both of Villa's new signings start on the bench today. Andreas Weimann will partner Christian Benteke in attack, while Karim El Ahmadi goes straight into the side after returning from duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
EVERTON: Howard, Baines, Heitinga, Distin, Jagielka, Osman, Gibson, Fellaini, Pienaar, Mirallas, Anichebe
Subs: Mucha, Jelavic, Oviedo, Naismith, Hitzlsperger, Neville, Duffy
Subs: Mucha, Jelavic, Oviedo, Naismith, Hitzlsperger, Neville, Duffy
Victor Anichebe continues in attack for the hosts, with Nikica Jelavic remaining on the bench. Darron Gibson starts in midfield after being eased back into action against West Brom in midweek. Phil Jagielka continues at right-back, while Phil Neville starts on the bench.
Everton are pushing for Champions League football this season. Some fans were left disappointed when David Moyes did not reinforce his squad during the January transfer window, with a midfielder and a striker being top of their wanted list. However, this group of players has got the Toffees to fifth place, so who knows how much further they can go? Three points today is as essential to their cause as it is to Villa's...
Paul Lambert's men are scrapping for their lives. They are currently in the relegation zone, but only on goal difference. They are level on 20 points with Wigan and Reading.
Reading host Sunderland at the Madejski Stadium this afternoon, while Wigan entertain Southampton. Both games could go either way. It's all hotting up in the battle to beat the drop.
Six of the last eight league meetings between these two sides have been drawn. The last time Everton beat Villa at Goodison was in 2006, when goals from James McFadden, Leon Osman and a brace from Tim Cahill helped David Moyes's men to a 4-1 victory. Gabriel Agbonlahor scored the visitors' only goal that day.
Six of the last eight league meetings between these two sides have been drawn. The last time Everton beat Villa at Goodison was in 2006, when goals from James McFadden, Leon Osman and a brace from Tim Cahill helped David Moyes's men to a 4-1 victory. Gabriel Agbonlahor scored the visitors' only goal that day.
The Toffees have lost only one of their last 12 league matches. That was at home to Chelsea in December, meaning that they are currently unbeaten in 2013.
Villa on the other hand have not won in seven league matches. Their last victory came just across Stanley Park at Anfield. Christian Benteke (2) and Andreas Weimann scored the goals that day. They start up front today.
Villa have also conceded more than any other team in the Premier League this season, while Everton have the joint third best defensive record in the league (with Swansea). Only Chelsea and Manchester City have sturdier defences.
It's not long until kickoff now, so time for a prediction maybe? Ok... I'll go with Everton to win 3-1, with Nikica Jelavic coming off the bench to grab a much-needed goal.
Goodison Park is bathed in winter sunshine as the teams come out to Everton's anthem 'Z Cars'. It's a crucial match at both ends of the table, what do these two teams have in store for us?
Everton will be kicking towards the Gwladys Street end in the first half. Aston Villa will get the game underway.
GOAL! Everton 0-1 Aston Villa (Benteke)
WOW! What a start! Benteke powers past Heitinga, rather easily if honest, before slotting across Tim Howard. Villa lead!
The ball was played into him by N'Zogbia, but it was all the Belgian's work. He absolutely burnt Heitinga for pace.
Fellaini has a go, but can't quite get the curl on his left-footed shot. Mirallas had made a darting run to set him up from just inside the area.
The well-oiled machine of Baines, Pienaar and Fellaini gets to work down the left and Everton win a corner.
The first corner is headed behind, but the referee blows up the second time for Anichebe's foul on Guzan. He was all over the keeper. Villa relieve the pressure.
Baines delivers a free kick into the box but it misses everyone on its was through.
Everton have dominated possession so far, but it's Villa with the all-important goal. They don't look so much like pushovers at the moment.
Mirallas wins a free kick wide on the right. Expecting Baines to whip this in with his left.
Baines tries to work the free kick to the near post, but Villa scramble it half clear. Gibson's shot is deflected for a corner. Villa look switched on defensively here, but will one goal be enough?
Agbonlahor looks to get in down the left but the referee blows up for a foul on Jagielka. Villa can spring quickly from the back, as shown when they defeated Liverpool at Anfield. Agbonlahor has bags of pace, as does Benteke. Everton need to be careful of that.
Everton are still dominating possession, but they have so far failed to create anything meaningful.
Mirallas does well to win back possession before teeing up Baines for a cross, but it's aimed at the near post and Villa are able to clear. The Belgian has looked bright so far.
GOAL! Everton 1-1 (Anichebe)
Brilliant goal from Anichebe! He showed power to hold off Clark, before hitting the ball on the turn. It flew past Guzan to draw Everton level. That's the Nigerian's fifth goal of the season.
GOAL! Everton 1-2 Aston Villa (Agbonlahor)
That didn't last long! Benteke got in behind the Everton defence and nearly replied immediately. It was deflected behind for a corner, which Everton could only half clear. The cross came in and it was Agbonloahor who rose highest to power a header past Howard.
Gibson nearly puts Mirallas clean through by Vlaar makes an excellent recovering tackle!
Bennett gives away a needless free kick for a foul on Mirallas. Baines will have the chance to deliver from the right.
Bennett gives away a needless free kick for a foul on Mirallas. Baines will have the chance to deliver from the right.
Bennett gives away a needless free kick for a foul on Mirallas. Baines will have the chance to deliver from the right.
Villa are struggling to get hold of the ball, but when it's in Everton's final third Benteke and Agbonlahor are giving them real problems. Distin, Jagielka and Heitinga all look rather edgy.
Fellaini, Anichebe and Pienaar link up nicely but the Nigerian's final pass isn't up to the mark.
Everton's football is very direct today. David Moyes's men can mix it up, but they've not had much joy on the deck so far.
To be honest, Villa don't look overly threatened. Everton have not been able to break them down so far, but whether they can last until full time is anyone's guess.
Pienaar finds himself with some space outside the area, so he has a dig from around 25 yards. It sails well over the bar, though. Groans of frustration from the home crowd.
Villa defending solidly again. Pienaar tries to tee up Mirallas, who is stopped by a brilliant tackle from Vlaar. The ball falls nicely for Gibson, but his shot ricochets off two players before Guzan pounces on it.
HALF TIME: Everton 1-2 Aston Villa
Well, it's been a great 45 minutes for Villa. They go in leading 2-1 thanks to some sound defending. There haven;t been too many occasions this season when that could be said of Paul Lambert's men. Benteke and Agbonlahor have caused Everton's backline plenty of problems.
Everton look short on ideas, but they're by no means out of this game. They have had slight openings, but they must do much better in the second half if they are to rise to fourth tonight.
Christian Benteke showed pace and composure in opening the scoring. He perhaps caught Heitinga still napping as he glided past before coolly side-footing past Howard.
Anichebe's goal was a brilliant one for a centre-forward. He received the ball in the box with his back to goal, before turning and shooting past Guzan in one movement.
Everton's defence stood still as the ball came into the box for Villa's second. Agbonlahor got everything behind the header.
Click here to read the Half-Time Report from Goodison Park.
Elswhere in the Premier Leasgue:
Arsenal 0-0 Stoke
Newcastle 1-0 Chelsea
Reading 1-1 Sunderland
West Ham 0-0 Swansea
Wigan 1-0 Southampton
Arsenal 0-0 Stoke
Newcastle 1-0 Chelsea
Reading 1-1 Sunderland
West Ham 0-0 Swansea
Wigan 1-0 Southampton
Right, the players are back on the pitch for the second half. No changes by either team, and Everton will get us back underway.
Baines delivers a dangerous ball into the box, but Guzan gets a fist to it. Fellaini is down injured and receiving treatment to his back. That was brave goalkeeping from the American.
It's been a scrappy start to the second half. Very stop-start. There's some confusion as Jagielka goes down injured, and the linesman puts his flag up at the behest of the referee. No one quite seems to know what's gone on. But we're back underway and Everton have the ball once more.
CHANCE! That should have been 3-1 Villa! N'Zogbia threaded a wonderful ball through to Weimann, who was clean through. The Austrian went for power, but blasted well over and into the Gwladys Street. Big chance!
Villa really do look dangerous on the counter. Time will tell how costly that Weimann miss may prove to be. But at the moment it's the visitors who look most likely to get another goal.
Weimann, Benteke, Agbonlahor and N'Zogbia are all clicking in attack. Everton are running short on ideas and need to change something here. The crowd are growing increasingly frustrated.
GOAL! Everton 1-3 Aston Villa (Benteke)
What a fantastic goal! It was one-touch football down the right, with Lowton delivering an inch-perfect cross for Benteke, who got across his marker and guided the ball into the far corner. That was brilliant from start to finish, and thoroughly deserved.
Lowton joins Christian Benteke in the referee's notebook for a poor challenge on Baines.
DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION: Oviedo on for Heitinga; Jelavic on for Mirallas.
Villa are good value for their lead. They have been the better team. Everton's dangermen have been very quiet today.
GOAL! Everton 2-3 Aston Villa (Fellaini)
Everton are back in the game and it's a very well-worked goal! Fellaini played the ball into Anichebe, who once again showed his power in holding off his marker to tee it up for Fellaini to fire past Guzan.
The home side have the wind at their backs now, but Villa have defended well so far.
SAVE! Brad Guzan makes a terrific one-handed stop from Jelavic! Villa's marking was lax there. Everton are attacking with far more purpose now.
The Villa fans must surely be feeling nervous at the moment, given how their season has gone. They have been the better team for most of this game, but Everton are applying plenty of pressure now.
Jelavic gets his head to Baines's corner and there's a scramble at the far post. It's put behind for another corner, which sailed out for a goal kick.
ASTON VILLA SUBSTITUTION: Yacouba Sylla is coming on for his debut. He'll replace Charles N'Zogbia. Lambert trying to sure things up in front of his defence.
ASTON VILLA SUBSTITUTION: Brett Holman comes on for Karim El Ahmadi.
Everton are coming up against a brick wall in defence now. Villas have plenty of men behind the ball.
Sylla gets his body between the ball and Gibson and wins a free kick for his side. Villa are able to get the ball out of defence and relieve some of the pressure.
The travelling support are in full voice as Leon Osman goes into the book for a poor challenge on Bennett. He put his knee into the full-back's ribs. Very high and quite dangerous.
Anichebe picks up on a loose ball just outside the area and tries to turn Vlaar, but this time he can't get past. The move continued and Pienaar found himself with a shooting opportunity, but his curled effort went high and wide.
There's going to be six minutes of time added on.
ASTON VILLA SUBSTITUTION: Nathan Baker comes on for Gabriel Agbonlahor.
EVERTON SUBSTITUTION: Steven Naismith replaces Darron Gibson.
GOAL! Everton 3-3 Aston Villa (Fellaini)
A towering header from the Belgian draws Everton level! He lost Vlaar before burying Baines's corner kick! Lambert is devastated - it's another goal conceded from a set piece!
Oviedo wins a free kick for Everton and Sylla goes into the book. Baines has another opportunity to deliver into the box. It's headed behind for a corner.
Baines's corner is too long and it goes out for a goal kick. Guzan takes his time.
FULL TIME: Everton 3-3 Aston Villa
Fellaini snatches a point at the death for Everton. Villa will be heartbroken, but they have no-one else to blame but themselves. They had the game in their hands, but got nervous as the Blues finished strong.
That's all from us at Sports Mole. Hope you enjoyed it, and until next time...
Written by
Michael Penkman
Michael Penkman
