Aston Villa 2, Everton FC 2: Late own goal hits Blues' European hopes

14 April 2010 21:21
Everton's hopes of achieving European football suffered a setback after Phil Jagielka's injury-time own goal cost the Blues all three points at Villa Park.[LNB]It kept Villa four points ahead of Everton who have played a game more.[LNB]The home side showed plenty of purpose and invention in the first half in a positive response after their FA Cup semi-final exit despite going a goal behind and Everton keeper Tim Howard making a trio of fine saves.[LNB]But they failed to show the same creativity and purpose after the break and, after Agbonlahor had given them a lifeline, they looked to have been undone by the impressive Cahill's second goal before Jagielka's gift.[LNB]Steven Piennar impressed in the middle of the park for the Toffees while Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov and James Milner's tireless efforts deserved some tangible reward.[LNB]Howard was the first keeper to be seriously extended in parrying away a low drive from Villa midfielder Stewart Downing after he had turned away from Diniyar Bilyaletdinov to create a yard of space.[LNB]Villa started to exert pressure and John Carew deflected a shot wide at full stretch from a near post cross by Downing.[LNB]O'Neill's side were showing plenty of purpose and Howard again did well to turn a first-time shot from Milner around the post from Agbonlahor's through ball.[LNB]Then Villa keeper Brad Friedel showed his worth in parrying a Leon Osman piledriver around a post and then blocked a rising close range effort from Bilyaletdinov.[LNB]After 23 minutes Everton went ahead through Cahill's eighth goal of the campaign.

Source: Liverpool_Echo