Everton and Aston Villa played out a 0-0 stalemate at Villa Park in a even game which has dented the Blue’s late season target. 

The Everton game plan looked to replicate the one from the West Ham game which is to sit back, soak up the opposition pressure and hit on the break.

It was a slow opening five minutes for the Toffees who seemed quite content to hand possession to Aston Villa and reserve energy for the right opportunity.

The first big chance fell to the home side when Tyrone Mings met a cross well only to turn his header wide of the right post, a chance he really should have converted.

The match was a rather dull affair in the first 20 minutes with neither side boasting too many opportunities and an even split in possession set the fixture up to be a tight one even without the likes of Watkins and Grealish starting.

Sloppy defending was a common theme for the Blues in the first half, in particular Michael Keane who looked just off the pace as he was missing headers and affording attackers too much space at times. 

Despite relatively nothing happening in the opening 45, Villa were by far the more positive team, opting to throw wave after wave of attacks against Everton.

The start to the second half was much improved as the likes of DCL and Richarlison were making darting runs and were being found by the likes of Allan and Sigurdsson with over the top passes.

Godfrey came close with an outstretched volleyed attempt which Martinez saved well on the 51 minute mark.

After a long period of lethargic play from both teams, substitute Andre Gomes arrived on the edge of the box, dribbled last two Villa defenders before launching a shot over the bar which should have been Everton’s breakthrough.

The winner looked well and truly in Everton hands as DCL rose highest above Matt Targett and powered his header towards goal, only for Martinez to produce a sublime save to keep the score at 0-0.

The game ended with neither team able to score and its the visitors who will be the more disappointed as they couldn’t claim three points that would’ve been so vital in the hunt for European football.

The second half was much improved as the Toffees looked like a team that actually wished to win the match but ultimately, the lack of any quality in the final third proved costly.
Fans will be disappointed by the fact that Carlo didn’t deploy a more attackimg system due to the fact that every game is a must win from now on.

The Blues now face Sheffield and Wolves at home before travelling to Manchester City on the last day of the season. The next two games need to produce six points for Everton if the ambition of Europe is to be achieved.

Player Ratings:Jordan Pickford – 7Lucas Digne – 7Ben Godfrey – 8Mason Holgate – 6Michael Keane – 5Seamus Coleman – 6Allan – 7Abdoulaye Doucoure – 7.5Gylfi Sigurdsson – 4Richarlison – 5Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 6
Substitutes:Andre Gomes – 6Alex Iwobi – N/A