*Rooney strike stuns Villa*

Wayne Rooney kept Everton on course for the Uefa Cup with a brilliant injury-time strike against Aston Villa.

Everton’s recent barren run looked set to continue until the 17-year-old sent Goodison Park wild with delight with a stunning finish.

Villa took the lead early in the second half through Marcus Allback against an Everton side low on confidence after Easter defeats against Liverpool and Chelsea.

But Kevin Campbell equalised and set the stage for Rooney to win all three points in the dying seconds

Everton kept faith with Rooney, with leading goalscorer Tomasz Radzinski still out injured.

And the youngster almost gave Everton an early lead when he outpaced Ronny Johnsen from Campbell’s flick but pulled his finish wide.

Everton created the best opening of the game 10 minutes before half-time when Thomas Gravesen’s through ball released Campbell.

Villa goalkeeper Peter Enckelman plunged bravely at his feet to save, and Alan Wright cleared in desperation to deny Rooney.

Campbell came close again after 41 minutes when he met Gravesen’s cross with a powerful header that was well saved by Enckleman.

Villa boss Graham Taylor made two changes at half-time, replacing Rob Edwards and Ronny Johnsen with Peter Whittingham and Ian Taylor coming on.

And on 49 minutes Villa stole ahead through Allback.

Joey Gudjonsson’s cross in from the right was missed by Dion Dublin diving in the box, but it ran on for Allback to score.

Everton desperately needed to do something, and Moyes replaced David Unsworth with Duncan Ferguson.

And Everton were level on the hour, when Gary Naysmith’s cross found Campbell perfectly placed to equalise.

Rooney was Everton’s hero again as time ran out, drilling a left-foot finish past Enckleman to take the points.