In a closely contested Premier League fixture, Aston Villa missed the chance to equal Liverpool at the top of the table, drawing 0-0 with Everton at Goodison Park. This result marked a crucial point for Everton, who moved one point clear of the relegation zone, ending their three-game losing streak.
The match was historic for Villa’s manager Unai Emery, as it was his first-ever goalless draw in the Premier League. It also stood out as only the sixth match this season in the top flight to end without a goal. Both teams paid tribute to former Everton chairman Peter Johnson, who passed away earlier this week, by wearing black armbands.
Everton’s lineup was strengthened by the return of Abdoulaye Doucoure, making his first appearance since December. Seamus Coleman also made history, surpassing Tim Howard to make a club record 355th Premier League appearance. Aston Villa, coming off an FA Cup win against Middlesbrough, saw the return of Diego Carlos, Douglas Luiz, Moussa Diaby, and Ollie Watkins, with Youri Tielemans on the bench.
The game was action-packed, with Villa initially believing they had taken the lead in the 18th minute through Alex Moreno, but VAR intervened, ruling Leon Bailey offside in the buildup. Everton responded with chances of their own, only to be thwarted by Villa’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez with key saves against Dominic Calvert-Lewin and James Garner.
The second half saw continued intensity. Everton’s James Tarkowski made crucial interventions to keep the score level. Villa’s late push in the final minutes, including a vital challenge by Everton’s Vitaliy Mykolenko and a last-minute block by Seamus Coleman, ultimately did not break the deadlock.
The match ended with Aston Villa in third place with 43 points, level with Manchester City in second but trailing on goal difference. Everton’s hard-fought point keeps them just outside the relegation zone, one point ahead of Luton Town, who have a game in hand.
This match, though goalless, was a testament to the competitive nature of the Premier League, with both teams showcasing their defensive strengths and resilience.
