Everton blow it again at Villa to undermine European hopes

How many times is this now? Yet again for the umpteenth time this season last night Everton faced a match at Villa they must win and they didn’t.

Once again I feel weary writing these match reports following another game in which Everton have bottled a big game.

In fact perhaps the most notable thing that happened was a terrible tackle by Tyrone Mings that surely deserved a straight red card. However, the unfailingly inept Martin Atkinson decided no.

Before the match started it was clear Yerry Mina was out and so again Carlo Ancelotti had to make another change in his team at the back.

He actually picked the exact eleven I had predicted he would but they seemed to line up to play in a 4-4-2 rather than a back three or five as I would have set that team out to play.

Anyway, regardless of formations or tactics it is ultimately as always down to the players themselves to deliver on the pitch. And once again surprise, surprise, what do you know those players couldn’t deliver when it really matters.

The Blues were awful in the first half as were a Villa side shorn of both Jack Grealish and Ollie Watkins, who was such a threat last time these two sides met, and this led to a dreadful first forty-five minutes.

Everton did have a few chances and Dominic Calvert-Lewin had the best one but in truth it was another lacklustre attacking display and there was an infuriating lack of urgency on display.

I’ve asked this question before but I ask it again, do these players want to play European football next season? Because whenever it matters their performances don’t seem to indicate they do.

After that utterly forgettable half the Toffees at least came out and upped the tempo markedly as the second half began.

They were showing much more urgency and desire to win the match and there were a few good chances created that weren’t taken as Everton’s wastefullness in front of goal continued.

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As time ticked on the Blues manager decided to make some changes and brought on Andre Gomes and Alex Iwobi, exposing the lack of real quality on the bench.

Bizzarly Josh King didn’t even make it onto the pitch despite the desperate need for goals. He may not be world class but he’s the only striker Ancelotti had available.

Gomes had two great chances and balloned one over the bar in a moment that seemed to sum up the total lack of cutting edge in front of goal. The Blues had enough chances but just couldn’t finish.

And so the match petered out to finish in a 0-0 draw that leaves little hope amongst even the most optimistic Evertonian that the team can claim a European spot next season.

I said it a while ago and I still hope by some miracle that they can prove me wrong, but I don’t think this team can quaify and certainly not on that display.

So three games left and even maximum points won’t necessarily be enough if others above Everton also keep winning. What a wasted opportunity this season has become.