*Thriller at the Villa*

Aston Villa and Everton produced an enthralling 3-3 draw at Villa Park, but the result does little to help the two clubs’ UEFA Champions League aspirations.

Martin O’Neill’s men twice clawed back from a two-goal deficit, with captain Gareth Barry securing a point with an emphatic penalty midway through the second half.

Everton were two goals to the good by the midway point of the first half thanks to the predatory instincts of midfield duo Marouane Fellaini and Tim Cahill.

Record signing Fellaini broke the deadlock on 19 minutes when he tapped home from close range following Leighton Baines’ low ball across the six-yard box.

And within minutes it was 2-0 as Cahill reacted the quickest to nod home the loose ball after the Australian’s initial header came back off the crossbar.

Villa pulled a goal back on 33 minutes when John Carew smashed his shot into the net after the hosts kept alive a James Milner cross which caught Everton keeper Tim Howard hesitating.

The Toffees restored their two-goal cushion on 54 minutes when Phil Neville, making his 400th Premier League appearance, fed Steven Pienaar on the edge of the box and the South African midfielder turned sharply to curl a sumptuous shot past Brad Friedel.

But Villa were immediately back in the game when Milner fired a 25-yard free-kick around the defensive wall and inside Howard’s near post.

And Villa claimed a point on 66 minutes when skipper Barry rammed home a penalty after Joleon Lescott’s high boot caught Stiliyan Petrov in the head.

Villa substitute Nathan Delfouneso was denied by Howard in injury-time, but defeat would have been cruel on either side.
Shell-shocked

Villa did most of the early pressing and Howard gathered a dipping centre from Milner after he had escaped the attention of Baines on the right flank.

But Friedel had to be alert to tip over a rising fierce half-volley from Neville after a corner from Baines had only been half cleared.

Then after 19 minutes the Villa goalkeeper was powerless to stop Fellaini putting Everton ahead with his eighth goal of the campaign.

Jo was involved in the build-up before the ball was smuggled to Baines and his low cross was tapped in at close range by Fellaini.

Villa looked shell-shocked by this setback and a low shot from Pienaar curled only a couple of feet away.

In a rare Villa reply, Milner stung the hands of Howard with a long-range drive although it was straight at the Everton keeper.

David Moyes’ side were soon back on the offensive and Friedel parried an effort from Cahill after being found in space by Jo.

But after 23 minutes, Cahill grabbed his ninth goal of the season to double Everton’s lead.

Cahill thumped his header against the crossbar from a Pienaar corner and he was first to react to the rebound and headed past Friedel.

Villa tried to retaliate and Tony Hibbert became the first player to be yellow-carded after 28 minutes for a touchline challenge on Gabriel Agbonlahor.

The home side looked all over the place every time Everton ventured forward and Friedel saved bravely at the feet of Cahill.

But after 33 minutes Carew gave Villa a lifeline with his 13th goal of the campaign.

Milner’s centre was deflected back across goal by Barry and then Agbonlahor also got a touch on the ball before Carew made no mistake from close range.

*Dangerous*

Everton still looked dangerous and Curtis Davies blocked a shot from Jo after Cahill had allowed the ball to run across the box into his path.

Hopes of a Villa revival suffered a setback after 54 minutes when a superb strike from Pienaar restored Everton’s two-goal advantage.

Neville played the ball into Pienaar’s feet and he turned past Luke Young and curled a 20-yard drive past Friedel into the corner of the net.

Villa boss O’Neill was forced into an immediate change when Agbonlahor limped out of the action to be replaced by Delfouneso.

And after 55 minutes, Milner brought Villa back into the game with a deadly piece of finishing. Lescott fouled Carew 25 yards out and Milner curled his free-kick past Howard and just inside the post.

On 66 minutes, Lescott caught Petrov in the face with a raised boot, prompting referee Howard Webb to point to the spot and Barry hammered the ball past Howard.

Young curled a low drive just wide after good play by Carew and in injury-time Howard denied Delfouneso.