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Everton v Aston Villa: Blues scrape a point

By Matt Townsend

Aston Villa's English midfielder Jack Grealish (L) vies with Everton's English defender Mason Holgate during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Aston Villa at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Dave Thompson / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by DAVE THOMPSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Aston Villa's English midfielder Jack Grealish (L) vies with Everton's English defender Mason Holgate during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Aston Villa at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Dave Thompson / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by DAVE THOMPSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Another mediocre performance from Everton but the Blues fortunately managed to scrape a 1-1 draw from their game against Aston Villa last night.

This was a game I felt Everton really had to win, and they didn’t. But then they didn’t look likely to get a point after Villa went ahead late in the second half.

Despite the shocking lack of effort showed in previous games and the fact that Carlo Ancelotti had again made public his displeasure with his players, the Toffees were still lethargic and lacked urgency in their play. What does it take for these players to show some professionalism?

Ancelotti again picked a team in which Alex Iwobi and Andre Gomes returned to the side while Bernard also came back in to provide a bit more flair. Again though Tom Davies got a start although fortunately Gylfi Sigurdsson wasn’t initially in the team, although he did come on.

Although the Blues started decently this was another dreadfully dull and uneventful match between two mediocre teams lacking quality and creativity.

But it was the visitors who looked as though they were the most likely to score as the home side were once again very disappointing.

Everton were lacking pace, power and energy in midfield, yet again! The attack lacked bite and even Richarlison, usually full of vigor wasn’t at his best either.

Defensively the Blues were pretty solid, although irritatingly Mason Holgate has picked up another injury, which is frustrating.

Jarrad Branthwaite got another chance at centre-back and this can only help his development, something that hopefully Everton will benefit from more fully next season.

The match looked as though it would peter out into a draw, which suited neither team, especially the Villans who were desperate for a win in their fight against relegation.

They had a few decent chances before taking a lead they probably just barely deserved. A set-piece and a loose ball which Ezri Konsa pounced on to slot home.

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Villa looked as though they would comfortably hold on to this lead as Everton lacked any inspiration and creativity, as usual.

Ancelotti made a few substitutions late on and one of them, Theo Walcott, eventually headed home in the 88th minute to secure a scarcely deserved draw in the end.

Well not much more to say about that really. Another poor and utterly forgettable day at the office from the Toffees and yet further questions surrounding the future of many of those players.

As an aside, there are more reports that the Blues are making concrete steps to secure a new man in the engine room as they have apparently started talks with Southampton’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, a player Everton have been long linked with.

Let’s see if this move is indeed to take place and if it will be a transfer that helps to improve this team’s anonymous and chronically underachieving midfield.