Fit again Tommy Craig earned Aston Villa a point with a super 35 yarder against championship challengers Everton at Villa Park today.

Craig pounced after the Merseyside outfit had taken an early lead through Mickey Walsh.

Villa were twice lucky not to fall behind in the opening two minutes.

In Everton's first attack King sent Walsh racing through on the left side and the striker was only a foot over with a 20-yard drive.

A minute later, Latchford should have done better when he miscued from six yards after fine work by King and Walsh.

Villa’s reply was a fierce first-time shot from Mortimer after fine work by Gray had opened up the Everton defence.

Thomas was proving lively for Everton on the left flank but Villa soon began to apply some pressure which sometimes had the Everton defence at panic stations.

Everton managed to weather the early Villa storm and then take something of a hold on the game in midfield with King particularly busy.

Thomas also gave young David Evans replacing injured Gidman a torrid time and he paved the way for the first goal.

In the 35th minute, he went past the young full-back who then fouled him near the corner flag. Thomas swung the free kick towards WALSH who angled his header towards the far post and Rimmer and a defender could only help the ball home.

Three minutes before the interval. Villa were level again following a free kick.

Mortimer touched the free kick to Cowans who fed the ball to CRAIG. whose first time left-foot drive from 25 yards curled round the wall and inside the post.

Halftime: Aston Villa 1, Everton 1.

Villa produced a spell of fierce attacking at the start of the second half and were unlucky not to go ahead.

McNaught saw a header go flashing wide. Little tried a shot which shaved the post and Everton defender Pejic had to kick off the line when McNaught bustled his way into the goal area with Wood beaten.