Everton Vs. Aston Villa: Villa Held To Draw By Late Penalty Despite Darren Bent Brace

Aston Villa did themselves few favours despite netting at Goodison Park, eventually emerging from the Merseyside with a solitary point after a late Leighton Baines penalty earned Everton a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw. The result leaves Gerard Houllier's side precariously placed in 16th place, just two points ahead of West Ham in the relegation zone, while Everton's comeback sees them leapfrog Bolton into seventh.

Jermain Beckford had the first opportunity in a back and forth match, but after his effort was saved there were very few clear-cut chances for either side in a match largely devoid of real quality in the final third of the pitch. Leon Osman did manage to open the scoring after some immensely poor defending from the visiting side, making a fool of James Collins and slotting home after Diniyar Bilyaletdinov had robbed right-back Kyle Walker near the halfway line.

Villa replied with virtually the first action of the second half, with Darren Bent smashing home a cross from Stewart Downing to level the scores. It got worse for the hosts - when a sweetly-struck Beckford shot hit the bottom crossbar and crashed downwards, it was adjudged not to have crossed the line, and while Everton protested Friedel punted the ball down the pitch, where Ashley Young flicked on to Bent, who rounded Tim Howard and slotted how to give a 2-1 lead.

As it turns out, Beckford's shot had indeed crossed the line, so it was perhaps poetic justice when Jean Makoun was penalised for Phil Jagielka falling over in his vicinity in the 82nd minute. Mike Jones pointed to the spot and Baines made no mistake, denying Villa the chance to take home two more crucial point ad they battle to avoid relegation.