Jack back but bore draw dents Everton’s Euro bid
ASTON VILLA 0 EVERTON 0
EVERTON’S European hopes suffered a blow after a limp 0-0 draw at Aston Villa, that at least saw the return of England midfielder Jack Grealish.
The Toffees failed to find the win last night which would have kept the pressure on the Premier League’s top six.
They climbed to eighth, two points behind fifth-placed West Ham, but their inconsistencies look like costing them a European spot.
Ben Godfrey and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were denied by home goalkeeper Emi Martinez, while Tyrone Mings wasted a rare opening for Villa, in a match that failed to inspire.
The game at least represented a return for Villa skipper Grealish, who ended his three-month lay-off with a shin injury as a second-half substitute.
Mings should have scored after 17 minutes, heading wide from close range from a fine Douglas Luiz cross.
Everton appeared aimless, with Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison reduced to bit-part roles. Without the banned Ollie Watkins, Villa were also toothless.
The second half at least offered more promise when Everton created an early chance. Gylfi Sigurdsson’s deep free-kick found the stretching Godfrey and Martinez had to be alert at his near post to turn the ball behind.
Grealish replaced Traore with 18 minutes to go. But it was left to Martinez to ensure Villa claimed a point late on. Lucas Digne’s deep cross picked out Calvert-Lewin and the goalkeeper was equal to his header, with Abdoulaye Doucoure and Richarlison both unable to convert the rebound.