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

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.It kept Villa four points ahead of Everton who have played a game more.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.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.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.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.Villa started to exert pressure and John Carew deflected a shot wide at full stretch from a near post cross by Downing.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.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.After 23 minutes Everton went ahead through Cahill's eighth goal of the campaign.

Source: Liverpool_Echo