Everton – Aston Villa

1. Afternoon all. After a week of live commentary focusing on European clashes, the battle to get into those competitions next season takes centre stage today. Blackburn have already beaten Portsmouth today to push themselves up the table and nearer to the two teams who go head-to-head at Goodison Park today, Everton and Aston Villa.

2. Here are the teams, starting with Everton: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott, Osman, Carsley, Fernandes, Pienaar, Johnson and Yakubu. Subs from: Wessels, Hibbert, Baines, Arteta and Anichebe.

3. And the visitors, Aston Villa: Carson, Mellberg, Laursen, Knight, Bouma, Petrov, Barry, Reo-Coker, Young, Carew and Agbonlahor. Subs from: Taylor, Harewood, Salifou, Routledge, Berger.

4. Only a few weeks ago Everton had their sights firmly trained on fourth place and a Chmapions League spot, but ever since they fell out of the UEFA Cup after a penalty shoot out defeat by Fiorentina, form has deserted them. One win in six games and a winning streak from their city rivals means they are now looking down rather than up - and if Villa win today they will pull level on points with the Toffees.

5. Villa are the form side, scoring a whopping 15 goals in their last three games as city rivals Birmingham (5-1), the hapless Derby County (6-0) and Bolton (4-0) were all sent packing. Sounds like Messrs Agbonlahor, Young, Carew, Barry et al are having a whale of a time under Martin O'Neill.

6. 1'

   We're off....

7. 2'

   Some early stats - the only teams to win at Goodison Park this season come from the top four, while Villa have only won away against teams in the top half once, at Blackburn.

8. 3'

   A touch of early pressure from Everton ends when the ball falls to the Yak inside the area but from a narrow angle he can't trouble Scott Carson.

9. 4'

   Everton have started well - full of fire and determination. Yakubu grapples with Mellberg before Lescott's cross is blocked, then Osman breaks downfield and makes it to the edge of the area before dragging his shot wide, by way of a deflection - corner.

10. 5'

    I should tell you the weather on Merseyside is awful. Its been pouring down for about an hour and the pitch is very slick.

11. 6'

    Yobo leaps into a challenge on Agbonlahor. Fierce but fair. Living up to his name there the Nigerian.

12. 7'

    Now Villa win a corner, from which they are very dasngerous - 36 goals they've scored from set plays.

13. 8'

    Agbonlahor wins the header and directs into a fiendish spot right in front of goal but Lescott hooks clear.

14. 9'

    Gareth Barry picks up a loose ball in midfield and fires in a shot from a tough angle but the ball flies five yards wide.

15. 10'

    Cool work under pressure from Scott Carson as Johnson chases down a back pass, he feigns to clear and cuts inside before Bouma does the same to outwit the onrushing Fernandes.

16. 11'

    Lee Carsley beats Carew in the air, quite how I know not given the four foot height difference.

17. 13'

    Excellent tracking back from Nigel Reo-Coker who robs Leon Osman on the edge of the area after Phil Neville's cutback.

18. 13'

    Barry fizzes a ball into Carew's feet but his flick into the path of Agbonlahor was only a little too strong. Shall I? Yeah? Ah, alright then. HE'S GOT GREAT FEET FOR A BIG LAD.

19. 15'

    We've seen plenty of blood and guts in the opening quarter of an hour, but no cutting edge as of yet.

20. 16'

    Stat attack part II: Everton haven't conceded more then one goal in a game this year. Wow.

21. 17'

    Good covering from Yobo as Carew made a run down the right channel. Throw-in to Villa, level with the edge of the area. Carew is the target, obviously, and he wins a corner.

22. 18'

    Jagielka rises high to nod the ball away and then Pienaar clears into the path of Yakubu, who beats Reo-Coker, comes inside then forces Carson into a smart save, while Feranandes fluffs his follow-up effort.

23. 20'

    Villa win a free-kick on the right but Everton play the offside trap to good effect.

24. 21'

    Neat play from Barry and Reo-Coker but Carsley interjects just before the Villa skipper could get a shot off.

25. 22'

    Carsley again beats Carew in the air. What did 'big Lee' have with his cornflakes this morning I wonder?!

26. 24'

    Carew and Carsley clash again and this time 'little Lee' gets an elbow in the face for his trouble. Unintentional, of course.

27. 25'

    First decent move of the match from Everton as man of the moment Carsley bursts into the penalty area and cuts it back. Pienaar then dummies it before the ball runs just behind Yakubu.

28. 26'

    First booking of the afternoon, Petrov for a late tackle.

29. 27'

    Great work from Olof Mellberg, he picks up a loose ball, cuts inside Carsley then toe-ends the ball past Jagielka before being clattered. Free kick 19 yards out, in line with the right hand post.

30. 28'

    Ashley Young has hit the bar! A cracking strike, to Howard's side of the wall, but the woodwork keeps the scores level!

31. 30'

    More pressure from Villa as Barry swings in a cross which is a yard or two in front of Agbonlahor.

32. 31'

    Just looking at the replay of Young's free kick, the youngster thought it was in and was already wheeling away in celebration before the ball cannoned back off the bar!

33. 32'

    Free-kick to Villa wide on the left after Neville piled into Ashley Young, who collapses in a heap on the floor.

34. 33'

    Young curls it in and Mellberg gets a flick on it but it is two yards wide. Had it been on target Howard would've been beaten all ends up.

35. 34'

    Unlucky Ashley Young, he tricks in and out of Neville and Fernandes, getting past both but the ball runs out of play before he can reach it. What a player he looks.

36. 35'

    Villa have been bang on top in the last 15 minutes, and are playing some pretty decent stuff.

37. 36'

    A nice Everton move is spoiled by the Yak who telegraphs his ball intended for Neville.

38. 37'

    Villa break and Reo-Coker runs 45 yards before Jagielka puts in a wonderful tackle inside his own box.

39. 38'

    A Villa corner is met by the fist of Tim Howard. The american gets good distance on it too.

40. 39'

    Goodison Park howls as Yakubu is pulled up for an elbow on Olof Mellberg. For a combination of the stray arm and some dissent, the Yak goes in the book.

41. 40'

    This is obviously a tactic from Everton; Lee Carsley contests the long ball's aimed for John Carew. How bizarre. He isn't doing too badly in fairness.

42. 42'

    Now Lee Carsley is going into the book after a lunge on Petrov. It wasn't pretty but the conditions didn't help.

43. 43'

    A lively half is drawing to a close, as the rain continues to teem down.

44. 44'

    Carew does well to get past Carsley, then as he slips it under Phil Neville the defender's hand blocks the ball and ref Phil Dowd awards a free-kick.

45. 45'

    Young whips in the free-kick and Yobo clears, before Agbonlahor is adjudged to have handled Mellberg's return ball and a free-kick is given to Everton.

46. 45'

    Two added minutes to play....

47. 45'

    Poor control from Gareth Barry as Reo-Coker floats a ball over the top. He then shoves Carsley into the advertising boards in frustration and is lucky not to be booked himself.

48. 45'

    Peep peep! Half-time!

49. 46'

    We're off .... again ....

50. 47'

    Expect more pressing from Villa in the second period, given that they really need to win to have a realistic chance of finishing fifth. Everton would be happy with a draw you feel.

51. 48'

    It really is hammering down at Goodison Park. It looks like a bleak January afternoon rather than a spring day in nearly May.

52. 49'

    Carew is penalised to ironic cheers from the Everton faithful. Martin O'Neill shakes his head.

53. 50'

    Johnson charges into the area but the linesman's flag goes up straight away - he just about got that right I reckon.

54. 50'

    This is better from Everton. David Moyes has obviously given them a rocket at half time. Fernandes crosses and Mellberg concedes a corner, from it Osman hits one right at Knight.

55. 50'

    This is better from Everton. David Moyes has obviously given them a rocket at half time. Fernandes crosses and Mellberg concedes a corner, from it Osman hits one right at Knight.

56. 51'

    Villa win the ball and break; Young slides the ball into Agbonlahor who crosses along the edge of the six yard box forcing Neville to clear. This has turned into a decent game all of a sudden...!

57. 52'

    A Neville cross into the area flicks off Laursen and was on its way to Fernandes - who would have had a clear sight of goal - if Andy Johnson hadn't taken the ball off him instead.

58. 53'

    The conditions are having a definite effect on this game - mistakes galore and sliding tackles aplenty have raised the intensity level too.

59. 54'

    GOAL! Phil Neville!

60. 54'

    Yakubu feigns Knight and thrusts into the area; he cuts it back behind everyone but Neville runs onto it and his shot hits Martin Laursen and beats Scott Carson. Game on!

61. 55'

    Villa hit right back and Young crosses to the back post where Mellberg tries to head across ghoal before Lescott gets in the way.

62. 56'

    That goal has livened the crowd up too. Its areal cup tie type atmosphere now.

63. 57'

    Everton have their tails up and Yakubu sums up their new-found confidence by trying a pot shot from 30 yards, which he drags wide.

64. 58'

    An Everton corner is well cleared by Knight as Everton crank up the pressure.

65. 59'

    A Villa free-kcik falls to Barry after a bit of a scramble and he pokes it goalwards but Lescott clears for a corner.

66. 61'

    Its a decent delivery from Young, Carew gets his head to it but it loops up and onto the top of the net for another corner, which Howard claims after another ugly scramble.

67. 62'

    Now a Carew flick on forces Tim Howard to rush out and claim before Young nipped in.

68. 63'

    The two managers are prowling their technical areas, caring little about getting soaked by the persistent rain.

69. 64'

    Manuel Fernandes is coming off, and Mikel Arteta is on, to a huge cheer from the home crowd.

70. 65'

    Phil Dowd won't be on Yakubu's Christmas card list this year, nor the Everton Supporters' Club. They howl once more after his shoulder charge on Olof Mellberg is penalised.

71. 66'

    Ashley Young gets a bump from Lescott out wide on the right and Villa have a free kick.

72. 67'

    A silly foul to give away.

73. 67'

    Barry's delivery is deep, Carew heads across goal but Lescott clears right on his line.

74. 68'

    Then Everton clear and Johnson's cross is flapped out by Carson, who concedes a corner.

75. 69'

    Then Carson gets a touch on Areteta's cross to deny Jagielka. Another corner.

76. 70'

    Villa deal with the corner and Bouma smashes it down field.

77. 71'

    Carew bundles into Leon Osman and gives away a free kick. Everton's tactic has been to entrust their midfielders with challenging the big Norwegian in the air, allowing his centre backs to try and deal with the second ball. It has worked quite well so far.

78. 72'

    Ashley Young is limping. Not sure why.

79. 73'

    Martin Laursen shows us why he tries to avoid using his left foot if at all possible after shanking a clearance straight out for a throw-in.

80. 74'

    Patrik Berger is coming on as Zat Knight comes off. A positive move from Villa.

81. 75'

    Villa's hopes of finishing fifth will be over if they lose this one - a draw still probably won't be good enough - so they need two goals in 14 minutes to save their European dream.

82. 76'

    Petrov gives an awful ball back to Mellberg who has to bust a gut to get the ball back to Carson before Johnson got there.

83. 77'

    What a strange incident! Bouma tries to prevent a corner but the ball hits the corner flag and stays in, then as Arteta headed towards goal he took it out himself! Very poor from the Spaniard!

84. 78'

    Bouma is off and Marlon Harewood is on. Its all out for Villa.

85. 79'

    Good work from Barry, who wins a corner off Lescott.

86. 80'

    GOAL! Villa are level!

87. 80'

    It was thanks to a wicked ball in from Barry, right along the six yard box, and Agbonlahor gets a lovely little touch on the ball to fire it into the roof of the net. Double game on!

88. 81'

    Fair play to Martin O'Neill - he's having a right go at this and Villa just about deserve their equaliser. They really need the win though, and have ten minutes to go at it hammer and tongs.

89. 82'

    Villa have gone back to a four-man defence now, rather surprisingly. It was three at the back before the goal.

90. 83'

    Everton change. Andy Johnson off, Victor Anichebe on.

91. 84'

    GOAL! Yobo!

92. 84'

    What a well worked goal, Carsley to Neville, Neville back to Carsley, whose cross is superb - Nigel Reo-Coker loses Yobo and he hammers the ball into the net at the back post. What a finish!

93. 85'

    GOAL! 2-2!

94. 85'

    As good as Carsley's ball was, Barry's cross was even better and Carew gets his head to it and directs it past Howard. What a game!

95. 86'

    An unbelievable finish to this game!

96. 87'

    More danger for Everton as Harewood closes in on their area but fails to poke the ball wide to Ashley Young who was in the clear!

97. 88'

    Now Ashley Young - perhaps in frustration at not receiving the ball from Harewood - piles into Lee Carsley and gets a yellow.

98. 88'

    Laursen gets up well to nod claer Arteta's free kick. Do we still have time for a winner?!

99. 89'

    Young hacks one forward looking for Harewood but Jagielka clears. Then Arteta wastes a chance to cross then loses possession.

100. 90'

     Arteta gets another chance to cross and produces a deep one aimed at Osman. Laursen clears behind for a corner.

101. 90'

     Yobo meets the corner and a combination of the post and Scott Carson clears the ball off the line!

102. 91'

     Three added minutes...

103. 91'

     Now Everton win a free kick, on the corner of the penalty area, out to the left. Arteta over it.

104. 92'

     Arteta's effort hits the wall.

105. 92'

     Now Harewood and Anichebe have a shoving match as they tussled for the ball by the touchline. Handbags really.

106. 93'

     Now Laursen slides in ahead of Yakubu as Arteta rolls a ball across the six yard box. Corner.

107. 94'

     Osman hits one but Laursen blocks, then the whistle goes to signal the end of a super Premier League game; full of passion, commitment, awful weather, goalmouth action and four goals! So, it is still advantage Everton in the race for fifth but Villa can still do it. Thanks for your company and don't forget to join us this week for live commentary's on both Champions League semi-finals. Until then....

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