Barclays Premier League

SIX-GOAL THRILLER

Everton failed to move above Tottenham into fourth posiiton after having to show all their fighting spirit to hold Aston Villa to a dramatic 3-3 draw after being 3-1 down at Goodison Park. Villa made a wonderful start as Charles N'Zogbia found Christian Benteke and the big Belgian forward held off John Heitinga before lashing his shot past Tim Howard after two minutes. However, the hosts restored parity after 21 minutes as Victor Anichebe did superbly to roll the challenge of Ciaran Clark before sending his strike beyond the reach of Brad Guzan. But Villa retook the lead three minutes later as Ashley Westwood's sumptuous delivery from the right was powered into the back of the net by the towering Gabby Agbonlahor for his seventh career goal against the Merseysiders. And they went further ahead just after the hour mark as Matt Lowton's stunning cross was met by Benteke for his second goal of the game. However, the hosts fought their way back thanks to a Marouane Fellaini brace. He fired in from Victor Anichebe's pass to pull one back before grabbing a dramatic stoppage time equaliser, heading in Leighton Baines' corner. Villa remain in 19th position on 21 points and two points from safety.

FULL-TIME

Yacouba Sylla is shown a yellow card and Everton win a corner in the final minute of stoppage time. Leighton Baines launches it deep but Phil Jagielka can't quite direct it towards goal. Brad Guzan takes the goal kick and referee Mike Jones blows his whistle for the end of what has been a sensational contest.

WELL HELD

Bryan Oviedo finds Marouane Fellaini in the area and the forward takes a swing at the ball, but it falls kindly into the hands of the grateful Brad Guzan.

AMAZING ENDING

Everton somehow find a way to pull this out the bag with a dramatic equaliser deep in stoppage time. Leighton Baines' corner kick from the left is headed home by the unmarked Marouane Fellaini.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

MAROUANE FELLAINI

FINAL VILLA CHANGE

Paul Lambert makes a change of his own with Gabby Agbonlahor being replaced by Nathan Baker, who slots into the Villa backline.

SIX MINUTES ADDED TIME

The home fans are delighted with the stoppage time to come as David Moyes makes his final change with Steven Naismith replacing Darron Gibson.

DANGEROUS PLAY

Leon Osman slides in two-footed on Joe Bennett and is shown a yellow card. The midfielder is lucky he isn't shown a straight red because that was a very high challenge.

GABBY IN THE BOOK

Yacouba Sylla is felled on the edge of his own box and then Everton win a free-kick but Gabby Agbonlahor decides to waste a bit of time and is immediately booked by referee Mike Jones.

HOLD-UP PLAY

Steven Pienaar's effort is well held by Brad Guzan who sends the ball upfield for Christian Benteke, but there is nobody in the box to meet his cross, despite holding onto the ball very well.

CLOSING DOWN

Villa are having to do a lot of defending in these closing stages as Ron Vlaar heads the ball away. Leighton Baines is crowded out by Matt Lowton, who has impressed this afternoon.

ANOTHER VILLA CHANGE

Australian international midfielder Brett Holman comes on for Karim El Ahmadi, which means Yacouba Sylla will sit alongside Ashley Westwood in the middle of the park now.

GOOD TACKLE

Gabby Agbonlar looks to race away from Bryan Oviedo, but the Everton substitute wins the tackle and also wins his side the goal kick.

VILLA CHANGE

New boy Yacouba Sylla, signed from Clermont Foot in France comes on to make his debut. He replaces Charles N'Zogbia, who has put in a shift this afternoon.

DESPERATE STUFF

Nikica Jelavic looks to find Marouane Fellaini in the box, but Villa defend well as they knock the ball out for another corner to the home side. The cross is headed towards goal by the lanky Belgian, but Brad Guzan palms it away.

EVERTON PRESSING

Villa are getting nervous at the back as Everton pile men forward in this new 4-3-3 formation, which has really pressed the visitors back in the last few minutes.

GREAT SAVE

Bryan Oviedo comes close to restoring parity, but Brad Guzan is out to make the block. Then, from an Everton corner Nikica Jelavic point blank effort is palmed over by the busy American shot-stopper.

BACK IN THE GAME

Marouane Fellaini plays the ball into Victor Anichebe before collecting the return pass and sending it past Brad Guzan via a slight deflection from about 12 yards. The striker is now into double figures for the season.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

MAROUANE FELLAINI

GOOD PUNCH

Everton win a free-kick down the left but Steven Pienaar's inswinger is punched away by Brad Guzan.

DOUBLE CHANGE

David Moyes makes a double change as Nikica Jelavic and Bryan Oviedo replace Kevin Mirallas and Johnny Heitinga as he goes for broke with his side needing to get back into this game immediately.

THIRD VILLA BOOKING

Matt Lowton is booked by referee Mike Jones for another late challenge on Leighton Baines. Easy decision for the man in the middle.

MAGNIFICENT HEADER

Andreas Weimann finds Matt Lowton down the right and the young full-back delivers one of the crosses of the season for Christian Benteke to meet with a close-range diving header to give Tim Howard absolutely no chance.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

CHRISTIAN BENTEKE

CLEARED AWAY

David Moyes in in conversation with his staff as he looks to set to make a substitution. Nikica Jelavic could be the man to come on for the home side. Joe Bennett's excellent cross is headed away.

ANKLE INJURY

Gabby Agbonlahor links up with Andreas Weimann and then Christian Benteke on the edge of the box with some nice triangular football. Now Victor Anichebe goes over on his ankle and the medical team are on to have a look and check he can continue.

TOO EASY

Toffees striker Victor Anichebe turns defender Ciaran Clark too easily before seeing his daisy cutter easily held by the busy Brad Guzan.

FELLAINI BENDER

Marouane Fellaini tries to find the inside of the far post as he bends his right-foot effort from the edge of the area, but Brad Guzan hangs on tight.

WHAT A CHANCE

Marouane Fellaini is labouring in the middle of the pitch as Villa break through Gabby Agbonlahor and he sends Andreas Weimann clean through, but the Austrian - who has scored four goals in his last seven games - blasts the ball over the crossbar with just Tim Howard to beat.

WARMING UP

Nikica Jelavic warms up on the touchline hoping to come onto the field as Marouane Fellaini hobbles across the field. The flag is up as Gabby Agbonlahor comes from an offside position to collect the ball.

HEAVY FALL

Ciaran Clark fells Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines' delivery is defended very well as the big haired Belgian goes over in the box and is in need of some medical attention.

EARLY OFFSIDES

There have been no changes at the break for either side and immediately Christian Benteke is caught in an offside position and then Gabby Agbonlahor makes his run too early seconds later.

HERE WE GO AGAIN

The second half gets underway at Goodison Park then and if it's anything like the opening 45 minutes, then we're in for a very special half. Everton have now failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 18 league matches against Villa, who themselves are unbeaten on their previous three trips to the blue half of Merseyside.

VILLA SURPRISING TOFFEES

Paul Lambert's side are on course for their first victory in eight top flight matches after leading Everton 2-1 at the break. They made a wonderful start at Goodison Park as Charles N'Zogbia found Christian Benteke and the big Belgian forward held off John Heitinga before lashing his shot past Tim Howard after two minutes. However, the hosts restored parity after 21 minutes as Victor Anichebe did superbly to roll the challenge of Ciaran Clark before sending his strike beyond the reach of Brad Guzan. But Villa retook the lead three minutes later as Ashley Westwood's sumptuous delivery from the right was powered into the back of the net by the towering Gabby Agbonlahor for his seventh career goal against the Merseysiders.

HALF-TIME

Referee Mike Jones blows his whistle for the end of the first 45 minutes at Goodison Park.

ANOTHER BOOKING

Christian Benteke is shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Leighton Baines as we enter stoppage time.

WELL OVER

Steven Pienaar cracks his left-foot shot over the crossbar from the edge of the area after working the space well. The crowd moan and groan after watching that sail over.

GOOD ORGANISATION

Paul Lambert's young lions have come to Goodison Park with a game plan which is working well for now. Victor Anichebe is caught in an offside position after the ball rebounded off Steven Pienaar into his path.

NO NONSENSE

Villa are happy to thump the ball anywhere when it's pumped forward by the hosts. Leighton Baines' cross is cleared by Matt Lowton as Charles N'Zogbia concedes a soft free-kick.

DEFLECTED WIDE

Leon Osman's shot is deflected away for a corner and now a number of Everton players are caught in an offside position as the flag goes up on the far side.

BATTLE IN AIR

Leighton Baines' cross is behind everyone, which annoys the home supporters because Victor Anichebe was peeling away to the back post. Christian Benteke and Johnny Heitinga fight for the ball in the air, but this time the Villa forward is penalised.

PATIENT TOFFEES

Everton haven't panicked and are content to spread the ball out wide looking for Leighton Baines to create an opportunity.

FIRST YELLOW

Kevin Mirallas is in the thick of the action moments later as he is brought down by Joe Bennett on the right edge of the area and the full back is booked by referee Mike Jones.

FINE TACKLE

Ciaran Clark comes across to make a fine last ditch challenge to deny Kevin Mirallas a chance to score.

SENSATIONAL OPENING

It's been a blood and thunder opening to this match at Goodison Park and these two sides always seem to put on a show when they play each other. Now, Brad Guzan does well to claim a long ball.

VILLA AHEAD AGAIN

What a great response from the visitors who show plenty of character this afternoon. Charles N'Zogbia finds Ashley Westwood and his swinging cross is superbly met by Gabby Agbonlahor to put Villa ahead again. The striker has scored more goals against Everton than he has against any other Premier League opponent - seven now!

GOOOAAALLL!!!

GABBY AGBONLAHOR

PARITY RESTORED

Kevin Mirallas plays the ball into Victor Anichebe, who does superbly to hold off Ciaran Clark before rolling the defender and sending his shot into the far corner past Brad Guzan for the equaliser.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

VICTOR ANICHEBE

PRESSING GAME

Everton have had six goal attempts to Villa's three as we approach the midway point of this first-half. Villa press the ball high until Ron Vlaar has to head the ball away from Leighton Baines' dangerous cross.

SHAPE AND FLUENCY

Everton are lacking their usual spirit this afternoon although they're dominant in possession, Villa are looking dangeorus on the attack as Gabby Agbonlahor shows until play is pulled back by referee Mike Jones for a foul earlier in the move.

EVERTON QUESTIONS

The Toffees are piling on the pressure now with firstly Leon Osman's shot blocked and then Leighton Baines' free-kick from 30 yards flying well over the crossbar, which gets a huge cheer from the visiting fans.

GOOD BLOCK

The resulting corner kick is headed over the crossbar by Andreas Weimann. At the other end, Everton win a free-kick and they play it short for Darron Gibson, but his rasper is blocked by Ciaran Clark for a corner.

DANGEROUS ATTACK

Victor Anichebe gets away down the right and tests Brad Guzan with a fine-right foot shot. Then, at the other end Christian Benteke wins his side a corner after good work between him and the lively Gabby Agbonlahor.

MOYES MOANING

Christian Benteke has now scored nine Premier League goals this season for Aston Villa. David Moyes is moaning at his side to find their feet after being stung so early. Steven Pienaar wins his side a free-kick after Karim El Ahmadi was climbing all over him.

GOOD SAVE

From the restart, Marouane Fellaini tests Brad Guzan with a stinging effort from just outside the area, but the American palms it away to safety.

WHAT A START

Villa are showing fight and heart as they make a magnificent start to this match to stun Goodision Park. Charles N'Zogbia dashes away from two markers before finding Christian Benteke with a run from inside-right and he races away from John Heitinga before firing his shot past Tim Howard.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

CHRISTIAN BENTEKE

GOOD CONDITION

The pitch is in excellent condition at Goodison Park. The Toffees are wearing their traditional blue shirts, white shorts and blue socks, while Villa are in their claret and blue kit. The atmosphere is raucous as ever at this grand old stadium. Six of the last eight league meetings between these sides have ended in draws.

WE'RE UNDERWAY

Here we go at Goodison Park then. The players came out to the famous 'Z-Cars' theme tune, which was an old TV drama set on Merseyside. Everton are unbeaten in their last six in all competitons, winning their last two while Villa haven't won any of their last seven Premire League games, so you would heavily fancy the hosts to secure three points and move above Tottenham into the final Champions League spot by tea-time tonight with Andre Villas-Boas' side not in action until tomorrow.

TEAM NEWS

Darron Gibson makes his return to the Toffees' starting line-up after suffering from a thigh problem in the only change to David Moyes' side which beat West Brom in midweek. He makes his first start since Boxing Day. Victor Anichebe keeps his place ahead of Nikica Jelavic, who is again on the bench. Meanwhile, teenager John Stones, recruited from Barnsley on transfer deadline day is not included in the matchday squad. Villa make three changes from the side which lost at home to Newcastle on Tuesday night. Karim El Ahmadi is a surprise call-up after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations. He replaces Barry Bannan while Andreas Weimann comes in for Nathan Baker and Gabby Agbonlahor replaces Darren Bent up front. New faces Yacouba Sylla and Simon Dawkins are on the bench.

TEAMS

EVERTON: Howard, Jagielka, Heitinga, Distin, Baines, Mirallas, Gibson, Osman, Pienaar, Fellaini, Anichebe. SUBSTITUTES: Mucha, Jelavic, Oviedo, Naismith, Hitzlsperger, Neville, Duffy. ASTON VILLA: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Bennett, Westwood, El Ahmadi, Agbonlahor, N'Zogbia, Weimann, Benteke. SUBSTITUTES: Given, Bent, Holman, Sylla, Bowery, Dawkins, Baker.

MATCH PREVIEW

High-flying Everton entertain relegation threatened Aston Villa at Goodison Park in the most-played fixture in the English top flight. The Toffees are currently sitting in fifth position in the Premier League and three points would send them above Tottenham into that final Champions League spot with the Londoners not in action until Sunday. They've suffered just three defeats all season under David Moyes and are currently unbeaten in four games since the home defeat against Chelsea at the end of December. Villa, meanwhile, endured a dreadful January after accumulating just two points in the league and suffered humiliating exits from both domestic cup competitions against lower-division opposition. Paul Lambert's side are on a winless run having suffering five defeats and conceded 22 goals in their last seven top flight matches. The boys from Birmingham are currently sitting in 19th position, but they do have good memories of Merseyside as their shock 3-1 over Liverpool in mid-December remains their only win in the last ten games.

TOFFEES WARY

Moyes has warned his players not to take their opponents too lightly as they aim to record a third successive victory in the space of a week. He said: "I don't think their form has been great - everyone is aware of that. They have a good manager and they are trying to turn it around. All the Premier League games at the moment are really close. It's very difficult to predict the results the way things are going at this present time, so we have to try and use our home advantage and pick up three more points if we can. We've never done things the easy way here at Everton over the last few years but they're doing a fine job just now and long may it continue."

VILLA STEEL

Lambert stuck to his philosophy of recruiting youngsters as the January transfer window closed and he is hopeful that his new acquisition Yacouba Sylla will add some much needed steel in the Villa side. The 22-year-old signed from Ligue Two outfit Clermont Foot on a three-and-a-half year contract and the Scot is excited about the defensive midfielder. "The lad Sylla will come in and will give us something we don't have with a bit of steel," he said. "He'll give us something in the middle of the pitch we haven't got. He will get stuck right in and you need players to do the dirty work." Lambert also boosted his attacking options with the late signing of Tottenham winger Simon Dawkins on loan until the end of the season. "He will surprise people with the way he plays the game," he said. "He will create and make things happen. He can play anywhere across the middle. He had a spell in America where he has been incredible. He's been in great form."

EARLY TEAM NEWS

Darron Gibson could make his return to the Toffees' starting line-up. The midfielder was back in action as a substitute in the 2-1 win over West Brom on Wednesday after a thigh problem, which had kept him out since the end of December. It remains to be seen whether or not striker Nikica Jelavic will be restored to the first XI having been dropped to the bench for the midweek match and it is not expected that teenager John Stones, recruited from Barnsley on transfer deadline day, will be involved, while fellow defenders Seamus Coleman (thigh) and Tony Hibbert (calf) remain sidelined. For Villa, Karim El Ahmadi is available again after Morocco exited the Africa Cup of Nations. Ashley Westwood is fit after taking a blow to the ankle in the defeat against Newcastle on Tuesday night but Fabian Delph is still a doubt with a foot injury. Richard Dunne has suffered another setback with his ongoing groin problem. New faces Yacouba Sylla and Simon Dawkins are in the squad.

MATCH OFFICIALS

The referee in charge of this encounter is 44-year-old Mike Jones from Chester. His assistants down the flanks are Mike Mullarkey and Matthew Wilkes while the fourth official on the touchline is Anthony Taylor.