Everton and Aston Villa traded blows in an even affair that rightfully ended in a scoreless draw at Goodison Park on Sunday.
The Toffees again showed solidity at the back and midfield but could not find their way onto the scoresheet as Emiliano Martinez stepped up when needed to keep a clean sheet on Merseyside.
WATCH EVERTON v ASTON VILLA FULL MATCH REPLAY STREAM
Aston Villa had almost 70% of the ball but was out-attempted 11-9. Unai Emery’s men had a goal taken off the board by VAR and were defied late by Jordan Pickford and a resolute, desperate Everton defense.
Sean Dyche continues to push Everton away from the relegation zone after their 10-point deduction, and the draw pushes them a point clear of 18th-place Luton Town. Yet a brutal stretch awaits, with Spurs and Man City following a visit to Fulham.
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Villa fail to retake second in the Premier League table, now level on points with Man City and two behind Liverpool. Both of those rivals have a match-in-hand on Villa.
Everton immense at the back but can’t exploit Pau Torres absence
The Toffees are a nightmare to play if you can’t stretch them out, and Villa had a lot of trouble with that on Sunday.
Jarrad Branthwaite is quickly becoming one of the Premier League’s top defenders, and James Tarkowski remains reliable. Both men are the right mix of aggressive and big, with Amadou Onana ranging in front of them to keep the central space around the final third a problem for opposing attacks.
The group is the reason Everton is unlikely to be in a relegation scrap even if their protest against the 10-point deduction is unsuccessful.
Emiliano Martinez is the reason Villa wasn’t behind at the break, as Villa at times showed that Pau Torres’ absence was a real problem. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s breakaway would’ve been a goal on another day, but Martinez did well to deny the Toffes center forward.
What’s next?
Villa goes to Chelsea for an FA Cup fourth round tie on Friday, January 26, four days before it entertains Newcastle in the Premier League.
Everton hosts Palace for an FA Cup third-round replay on Wednesday. A win would see Luton Town or Bolton at Goodison on January 27. The Toffees next Premier League fixture is January 30 at Fulham.
Everton vs Aston Villa updates, final score: 0-0
Everton vs Aston Villa player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Everton vs Aston Villa player ratings (fotmob.com)
Everton vs Aston Villa player ratings (fotmob.com)
Emiliano Martinez thriving
If the Argentine wasn’t yet an object of disdain for Everton fans, he is now!
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is racing through on goal and shapes to trick Martinez to the left but the keeper stops the breakaway with his right peg.
The ball comes back out to the top of the box and is ripped low toward the other side and Martinez gets low to slap the ball just wide of the post.
Exceptional sequence for the World Cup winner and it’s still 0-0.
Everton counting blessings early
The Toffees have had two early flash points go their way.
First, Amadou Onana’s desperation to reach a loose ball saw him slide late into the chest of Emiliano Martinez. Given the keeper’s reputation, it first seemed like Martinez was acting but the video showed a reckless slide from the Toffee midfielder. A red would not have been a surprise, but Onana was not sanctioned and to be fair there were few Villans protesting with much vigor.
Then Villa went ahead on a terrific Alex Moreno strike in the 20th minute, but VAR stepped in and found Clement Lenglet offside in the buildup. It remains scoreless and both teams have played well though Villa’s seized a measure of control.
How to watch Everton vs Aston Villa live, stream link and start time
Kick off: Sunday, 9am ET (January 14)
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Stream via NBC.com
Everton lineup
Today's Toffees! 🔵
— Everton (@Everton) January 14, 2024
🔙 Doucs returns from injury and starts against @AVFCOfficial - while Dwight has recovered enough to make the bench. #EVEVAVL pic.twitter.com/ky31jTzSzs
Aston Villa lineup
Representing Aston Villa at Goodison Park! 👊 pic.twitter.com/EB2gsaPQWD
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 14, 2024
Focus on Everton, team news
Losing Gueye to AFCON duty and Dwight McNeil to injury are both huge blows, while Abdoulaye Doucoure is essential to the way Dyche wants to play with multiple midfielders flooding forward to support Dominic Calvert-Lewin and they will hope to have Doucoure back soon.
OUT: Idrissa Gana Gueye (international duty), Dwight McNeil (ankle), Ashley Young (undisclosed), Dele Alli (groin) | QUESTIONABLE: Abdoulaye Doucoure (hamstring)
Focus on Aston Villa, team news
Tielemans and Torres suffering injuries has been a blow for Emery and he will have to do without Matty Cash for this game too as Villa’s defense is stretched to its limits. Going forward they have so many options and it is all about getting the right balance for Emery.
OUT: Emiliano Buendia (torn ACL - out for season), Tyrone Mings (torn ACL - out for season), Bertrand Traore (undisclosed) | QUESTIONABLE: Pau Torres (ankle), Youri Tielemans (calf), Lucas Digne (thigh), Robin Olsen (knock)