LIVE MATCH CENTRE
2 February, 2013
| Everton |
FT
33
|
Aston Villa |
0 - 1
Christian Benteke 2'
Victor Anichebe 21'
1 - 1
1 - 2
Gabriel Agbonlahor 24'
1 - 3
Christian Benteke 61'
Marouane Fellaini 69'
2 - 3
Marouane Fellaini 90'
3 - 3
HT:
1 - 2
Goodison Park (Attendance: 38,121)
Everton
Tim Howard
24
Phil Jagielka
6
John Heitinga
5
Sylvain Distin
15
Leighton Baines
3
Leon Osman
21
Darron Gibson
4
Kevin Mirallas
11
Marouane Fellaini
25
Steven Pienaar
22
Victor Anichebe
28
Substitutes
Bryan Oviedo
8
Nikica Jelavic
7
Steven Naismith
14
Thomas Hitzlsperger
16
Phil Neville
18
Jan Mucha
1
Shane Duffy
34
Aston Villa
22
Brad Guzan
34
Matthew Lowton
4
Ron Vlaar
6
Ciaran Clark
27
Joe Bennett
8
Karim El Ahmadi
15
Ashley Westwood
26
Andreas Weimann
10
Charles N'Zogbia
11
Gabriel Agbonlahor
20
Christian Benteke
Substitutes
32
Nathan Baker
18
Yacouba Sylla
14
Brett Holman
1
Shay Given
9
Darren Bent
24
Simon Dawkins
21
Jordan Bowery
Referee: Michael Jones
90'
Game Over
Everton 3-3 Aston Villa
90'
Goal Kick
Brad Guzan (Aston Villa)
90'
Shot
Phil Jagielka (Everton)
90'
Corner Kick
Leighton Baines (Everton)
90'
Cross
Leighton Baines (Everton)
90'
Free Kick
Leighton Baines (Everton)
90'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Yacouba Sylla (Aston Villa)
90'
Foul
Bryan Oviedo fouled by Yacouba Sylla (Aston Villa)
90'
Throw-In
Joe Bennett (Aston Villa)
90'
Throw-In
Bryan Oviedo (Everton)
90'
Shot on Target
Marouane Fellaini (Everton)
90'
Cross
Steven Naismith (Everton)
90'
Cross
Bryan Oviedo (Everton)
90'
Cross
Sylvain Distin (Everton)
90'
Throw-In
Leighton Baines (Everton)
90'
Cross
Yacouba Sylla (Aston Villa)
90'
Goal
Marouane Fellaini (Everton), Assist by Leighton Baines
90'
Shot on Target
Marouane Fellaini (Everton)
90'
Corner Kick
Leighton Baines (Everton)
90'
Cross
Phil Jagielka (Everton)
90'
Corner Kick
Leighton Baines (Everton)
90'
Cross
Leighton Baines (Everton)
90'
Free Kick
Leighton Baines (Everton)
90'
Substitution
Nathan Baker on for Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
90'
Foul
Victor Anichebe fouled by Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa)
90'
Goal Kick
Brad Guzan (Aston Villa)
90'
Substitution
Steven Naismith on for Darron Gibson (Everton)
90'
Shot
Steven Pienaar (Everton)
90'
Cross
Leighton Baines (Everton)
90'
Throw-In
Sylvain Distin (Everton)
90'
Cross
Andreas Weimann (Aston Villa)
89'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Leon Osman (Everton)
89'
Foul
Joe Bennett fouled by Leon Osman (Everton)
88'
Offside
Sylvain Distin (Everton)
88'
Cross
Darron Gibson (Everton)
88'
Free Kick
Darron Gibson (Everton)
88'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
88'
Foul
Nikica Jelavic fouled by Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa)
87'
Foul
Yacouba Sylla fouled by Darron Gibson (Everton)
87'
Cross
Victor Anichebe (Everton)
86'
Cross
Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa)
86'
Throw-In
Phil Jagielka (Everton)
85'
Cross
Steven Pienaar (Everton)
84'
Cross
Steven Pienaar (Everton)
84'
Cross
Leighton Baines (Everton)
84'
Cross
Darron Gibson (Everton)
84'
Cross
Darron Gibson (Everton)
84'
Free Kick
Darron Gibson (Everton)
83'
Foul
Leon Osman fouled by Yacouba Sylla (Aston Villa)
83'
Goal Kick
Tim Howard (Everton)
83'
Substitution
Brett Holman on for Karim El Ahmadi (Aston Villa)
82'
Cross
Ashley Westwood (Aston Villa)
82'
Free Kick
Ashley Westwood (Aston Villa)
82'
Foul
Christian Benteke fouled by Sylvain Distin (Everton)
82'
Throw-In
Joe Bennett (Aston Villa)
81'
Goal Kick
Tim Howard (Everton)
80'
Throw-In
Joe Bennett (Aston Villa)
79'
Goal Kick
Brad Guzan (Aston Villa)
79'
Substitution
Yacouba Sylla on for Charles N'Zogbia (Aston Villa)
78'
Corner Kick
Leighton Baines (Everton)
78'
Corner Kick
Leighton Baines (Everton)
77'
Cross
Nikica Jelavic (Everton)
77'
Throw-In
Bryan Oviedo (Everton)
77'
Cross
Sylvain Distin (Everton)
76'
Foul
Sylvain Distin fouled by Charles N'Zogbia (Aston Villa)
76'
Foul
Leon Osman fouled by Karim El Ahmadi (Aston Villa)
75'
Throw-In
Joe Bennett (Aston Villa)
75'
Goal Kick
Brad Guzan (Aston Villa)
75'
Shot on Target
Sylvain Distin (Everton)
75'
Corner Kick
Leighton Baines (Everton)
74'
Shot on Target
Nikica Jelavic (Everton)
74'
Cross
Sylvain Distin (Everton)
74'
Corner Kick
Leighton Baines (Everton)
74'
Cross
Leon Osman (Everton)
73'
Goal Kick
Brad Guzan (Aston Villa)
73'
Cross
Sylvain Distin (Everton)
73'
Cross
Darron Gibson (Everton)
73'
Free Kick
Darron Gibson (Everton)
72'
Foul
Nikica Jelavic fouled by Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa)
72'
Goal Kick
Brad Guzan (Aston Villa)
71'
Shot
Bryan Oviedo (Everton)
71'
Cross
Leon Osman (Everton)
71'
Cross
Marouane Fellaini (Everton)
71'
Cross
Leighton Baines (Everton)
71'
Free Kick
Leighton Baines (Everton)
70'
Foul
Nikica Jelavic fouled by Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa)
70'
Throw-In
Joe Bennett (Aston Villa)
69'
Goal
Marouane Fellaini (Everton), Assist by Victor Anichebe
69'
Shot on Target
Marouane Fellaini (Everton)
69'
Throw-In
Leighton Baines (Everton)
69'
Cross
Steven Pienaar (Everton)
69'
Free Kick
Steven Pienaar (Everton)
68'
Foul
Steven Pienaar fouled by Ashley Westwood (Aston Villa)
68'
Cross
Steven Pienaar (Everton)
68'
Cross
Leighton Baines (Everton)
66'
Cross
Joe Bennett (Aston Villa)
65'
Cross
Leighton Baines (Everton)
65'
Free Kick
Leighton Baines (Everton)
65'
Substitution
Bryan Oviedo on for John Heitinga (Everton)
65'
Substitution
Nikica Jelavic on for Kevin Mirallas (Everton)
64'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Matthew Lowton (Aston Villa)
64'
Foul
Leighton Baines fouled by Matthew Lowton (Aston Villa)
64'
Cross
Kevin Mirallas (Everton)
63'
Cross
Charles N'Zogbia (Aston Villa)
63'
Cross
Ashley Westwood (Aston Villa)
63'
Cross
John Heitinga (Everton)
63'
Throw-In
Leighton Baines (Everton)
62'
Cross
Phil Jagielka (Everton)
62'
Cross
Marouane Fellaini (Everton)
61'
Goal
Christian Benteke (Aston Villa), Assist by Matthew Lowton
61'
Shot on Target
Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)
61'
Cross
Matthew Lowton (Aston Villa)
61'
Cross
Ashley Westwood (Aston Villa)
61'
Cross
Joe Bennett (Aston Villa)
61'
Throw-In
Joe Bennett (Aston Villa)
60'
Foul
Andreas Weimann fouled by Sylvain Distin (Everton)
59'
Cross
Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
56'
Cross
Darron Gibson (Everton)
55'
Offside
Victor Anichebe (Everton)
55'
Cross
Darron Gibson (Everton)
55'
Shot on Target
Victor Anichebe (Everton)
55'
Cross
Sylvain Distin (Everton)
55'
Throw-In
John Heitinga (Everton)
54'
Cross
Kevin Mirallas (Everton)
54'
Shot on Target
Marouane Fellaini (Everton)
54'
Cross
Leon Osman (Everton)
54'
Throw-In
Leighton Baines (Everton)
53'
Corner Kick
Kevin Mirallas (Everton)
53'
Cross
Leighton Baines (Everton)
53'
Throw-In
Leighton Baines (Everton)
52'
Goal Kick
Tim Howard (Everton)
52'
Shot
Andreas Weimann (Aston Villa)
52'
Cross
Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
51'
Cross
Sylvain Distin (Everton)
51'
Goal Kick
Tim Howard (Everton)
51'
Shot
Andreas Weimann (Aston Villa)
51'
Throw-In
Joe Bennett (Aston Villa)
50'
Offside
Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
47'
Cross
Leighton Baines (Everton)
47'
Free Kick
Leighton Baines (Everton)
47'
Foul
Marouane Fellaini fouled by Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa)
46'
Offside
Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
46'
Cross
Ashley Westwood (Aston Villa)
46'
Offside
Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)
46'
Cross
Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
46'
Start Half
45'
Half Over
Everton 1-2 Aston Villa
45'
Throw-In
Matthew Lowton (Aston Villa)
45'
Throw-In
Matthew Lowton (Aston Villa)
45'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)
45'
Foul
Leighton Baines fouled by Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)
45'
Corner Kick
Kevin Mirallas (Everton)
45'
Shot
Darron Gibson (Everton)
45'
Cross
Leon Osman (Everton)
45'
Cross
Leighton Baines (Everton)
45'
Foul
Leon Osman fouled by Charles N'Zogbia (Aston Villa)
45'
Goal Kick
Brad Guzan (Aston Villa)
44'
Shot
Steven Pienaar (Everton)
44'
Throw-In
Matthew Lowton (Aston Villa)
43'
Offside
Victor Anichebe (Everton)
43'
Cross
Marouane Fellaini (Everton)
42'
Goal Kick
Brad Guzan (Aston Villa)
42'
Cross
Darron Gibson (Everton)
42'
Cross
Leighton Baines (Everton)
41'
Free Kick
Leighton Baines (Everton)
41'
Foul
Leon Osman fouled by Charles N'Zogbia (Aston Villa)
41'
Throw-In
Leighton Baines (Everton)
40'
Cross
Leighton Baines (Everton)
40'
Cross
Sylvain Distin (Everton)
40'
Throw-In
Leighton Baines (Everton)
40'
Cross
Leighton Baines (Everton)
40'
Throw-In
Darron Gibson (Everton)
39'
Throw-In
Phil Jagielka (Everton)
39'
Cross
Phil Jagielka (Everton)
39'
Cross
Leighton Baines (Everton)
39'
Corner Kick
Kevin Mirallas (Everton)
38'
Shot
Kevin Mirallas (Everton)
38'
Corner Kick
Kevin Mirallas (Everton)
37'
Cross
Marouane Fellaini (Everton)
37'
Throw-In
Steven Pienaar (Everton)
37'
Throw-In
Leighton Baines (Everton)
36'
Offside
Marouane Fellaini (Everton)
36'
Cross
Kevin Mirallas (Everton)
36'
Corner Kick
Kevin Mirallas (Everton)
35'
Shot
Leon Osman (Everton)
35'
Cross
Kevin Mirallas (Everton)
35'
Cross
Phil Jagielka (Everton)
35'
Cross
Steven Pienaar (Everton)
34'
Foul
John Heitinga fouled by Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)
34'
Foul
Christian Benteke fouled by Darron Gibson (Everton)
34'
Cross
Steven Pienaar (Everton)
33'
Throw-In
Joe Bennett (Aston Villa)
32'
Foul
Phil Jagielka fouled by Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)
32'
Offside
Kevin Mirallas (Everton)
31'
Cross
Steven Pienaar (Everton)
31'
Cross
Ashley Westwood (Aston Villa)
31'
Cross
Kevin Mirallas (Everton)
30'
Goal Kick
Brad Guzan (Aston Villa)
30'
Cross
Darron Gibson (Everton)
30'
Cross
Leighton Baines (Everton)
30'
Free Kick
Leighton Baines (Everton)
29'
Foul
Kevin Mirallas fouled by Joe Bennett (Aston Villa)
28'
Offside
Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)
28'
Cross
Phil Jagielka (Everton)
28'
Throw-In
Phil Jagielka (Everton)
28'
Cross
Steven Pienaar (Everton)
27'
Cross
Marouane Fellaini (Everton)
26'
Throw-In
Leighton Baines (Everton)
26'
Throw-In
Phil Jagielka (Everton)
25'
Foul
Leon Osman (Everton)
24'
Goal
Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Assist by Ashley Westwood
24'
Shot on Target
Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
24'
Cross
Ashley Westwood (Aston Villa)
24'
Corner Kick
Ashley Westwood (Aston Villa)
23'
Shot
Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)
23'
Cross
Andreas Weimann (Aston Villa)
22'
Foul
Leon Osman fouled by Charles N'Zogbia (Aston Villa)
22'
Cross
Andreas Weimann (Aston Villa)
21'
Goal
Victor Anichebe (Everton), Assist by Kevin Mirallas
21'
Shot on Target
Victor Anichebe (Everton)
21'
Cross
Leon Osman (Everton)
21'
Throw-In
Sylvain Distin (Everton)
20'
Cross
Leighton Baines (Everton)
20'
Cross
Leighton Baines (Everton)
20'
Cross
Steven Pienaar (Everton)
19'
Foul
Sylvain Distin fouled by Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)
19'
Cross
Darron Gibson (Everton)
19'
Throw-In
Matthew Lowton (Aston Villa)
18'
Shot
Steven Pienaar (Everton)
17'
Foul
Phil Jagielka fouled by Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
17'
Cross
John Heitinga (Everton)
17'
Cross
Darron Gibson (Everton)
16'
Throw-In
Matthew Lowton (Aston Villa)
16'
Goal Kick
Brad Guzan (Aston Villa)
15'
Shot
Leighton Baines (Everton)
15'
Free Kick
Leighton Baines (Everton)
14'
Foul
Leon Osman fouled by Ashley Westwood (Aston Villa)
14'
Cross
Leon Osman (Everton)
14'
Cross
Darron Gibson (Everton)
14'
Corner Kick
Kevin Mirallas (Everton)
13'
Shot
Darron Gibson (Everton)
13'
Shot on Target
Victor Anichebe (Everton)
13'
Cross
Leighton Baines (Everton)
13'
Free Kick
Leighton Baines (Everton)
13'
Foul
Kevin Mirallas fouled by Joe Bennett (Aston Villa)
13'
Throw-In
Kevin Mirallas (Everton)
12'
Cross
John Heitinga (Everton)
12'
Cross
Andreas Weimann (Aston Villa)
12'
Goal Kick
Tim Howard (Everton)
12'
Shot
Andreas Weimann (Aston Villa)
11'
Corner Kick
Charles N'Zogbia (Aston Villa)
11'
Shot
Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)
11'
Cross
Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
11'
Cross
Darron Gibson (Everton)
10'
Shot on Target
Victor Anichebe (Everton)
10'
Cross
Darron Gibson (Everton)
10'
Goal Kick
Brad Guzan (Aston Villa)
9'
Cross
Leighton Baines (Everton)
9'
Free Kick
Leighton Baines (Everton)
9'
Foul
Steven Pienaar fouled by Karim El Ahmadi (Aston Villa)
9'
Throw-In
Matthew Lowton (Aston Villa)
8'
Foul
Brad Guzan fouled by Victor Anichebe (Everton)
8'
Corner Kick
Kevin Mirallas (Everton)
7'
Corner Kick
Kevin Mirallas (Everton)
7'
Cross
Leighton Baines (Everton)
7'
Throw-In
Leighton Baines (Everton)
6'
Throw-In
Sylvain Distin (Everton)
6'
Cross
Sylvain Distin (Everton)
6'
Cross
Leighton Baines (Everton)
6'
Throw-In
Leighton Baines (Everton)
5'
Goal Kick
Brad Guzan (Aston Villa)
4'
Shot
Marouane Fellaini (Everton)
4'
Foul
Sylvain Distin fouled by Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)
4'
Cross
Karim El Ahmadi (Aston Villa)
3'
Throw-In
Phil Jagielka (Everton)
2'
Goal
Christian Benteke (Aston Villa), Assist by Charles N'Zogbia
2'
Shot on Target
Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)
2'
Cross
Charles N'Zogbia (Aston Villa)
2'
Cross
Andreas Weimann (Aston Villa)
1'
Throw-In
Joe Bennett (Aston Villa)
1'
Throw-In
Phil Jagielka (Everton)
1'
Start Half

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.
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.
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.
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.
MAROUANE FELLAINI
Paul Lambert makes a change of his own with Gabby Agbonlahor being replaced by Nathan Baker, who slots into the Villa backline.
The home fans are delighted with the stoppage time to come as David Moyes makes his final change with Steven Naismith replacing Darron Gibson.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Gabby Agbonlar looks to race away from Bryan Oviedo, but the Everton substitute wins the tackle and also wins his side the goal kick.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
MAROUANE FELLAINI
Everton win a free-kick down the left but Steven Pienaar's inswinger is punched away by Brad Guzan.
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.
Matt Lowton is booked by referee Mike Jones for another late challenge on Leighton Baines. Easy decision for the man in the middle.
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.
CHRISTIAN BENTEKE
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.
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.
Toffees striker Victor Anichebe turns defender Ciaran Clark too easily before seeing his daisy cutter easily held by the busy Brad Guzan.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Referee Mike Jones blows his whistle for the end of the first 45 minutes at Goodison Park.
Christian Benteke is shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Leighton Baines as we enter stoppage time.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Everton haven't panicked and are content to spread the ball out wide looking for Leighton Baines to create an opportunity.
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.
Ciaran Clark comes across to make a fine last ditch challenge to deny Kevin Mirallas a chance to score.
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.
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!
GABBY AGBONLAHOR
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.
VICTOR ANICHEBE
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
CHRISTIAN BENTEKE
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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."
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.
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.