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Another draw in topsy-turvy game

Draw 14. And another one at home too. 3 successive home games saw a haul of 5 points so four points dropped in reality. On paper maybe we should have lost this match. In fact maybe not turned up at all given the paucity of players available. The entire subs bench lacked a single minute of Premier action between them. But on the pitch they should have won, having enough clear cut chances despite a rather patched up side. Certainly nothing, again on paper, to compet ewith the 4 England internationals leading the Villa front lines.

Leon opened the scoring; he could have had a hat-trick. 1-0 up at half time the Blues were looking settled. All that was to change within a couple of minutes of the re-start when many were still peeing their Chang up the wall. Downing was allowed to come off the right hand side on his left foot (why oh why) and fired a cross that Bent met with aplomb. For a while the visitors got into their stride until Everton forced their way back into the game. The introduction of Gueye was instrumental and he was involved in the move that Beckford's (snatched) shot hit the underside of the bar, bounce over the line and pop into the hands of a grateful keeper. One hoof forward, a bounce and a clinical finish saw us unexpectedly 1-2 down.

A penalty awarded after a surging run from Jags with the slightest of contacts gave Baines the opportunity to level. And that's how it stayed. Maybe a fair result and Villa will still be anxious given their relative closeness to the the drop zone. But sod them. Everton once again failed to take an opportunity to break away from the pack. 7th spot looks comfortable but their is a lot to do to retain that position, particularly in playing 3 of the relegation candidates on their own turf.

Wolves up next with memories still fresh of a gruesome 0-0 draw there last season in what was to be Gosling's last game in a blue shirt. Whatever did happen to the psuedo superstar?