Everton 0-0 Aston Villa: Visitors miss chance to go joint top

Aston Villa missed the chance to go level at the top of the Premier League when Everton held them to a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park on Sunday, despite dominating possession but failing to break down a stubborn home side.

Villa now have 43 points after 21 games, level with second-place Manchester City but two behind league leaders Liverpool. Both clubs have played fewer games. Everton are now a point clear of the relegation zone, with 17 points from their 21 matches.

The visitors had several chances to open the scoring, but the best chance of the game fell to Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who raced clear one-on-one with Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez but saw his effort saved.

Both teams had goals correctly chalked off for offside by the Video Assistant Referee, and Everton will be pleased with the point, whereas Villa manager Unai Emery may see it as a missed opportunity and two dropped points following his first 0-0 draw in 97 Premier League games.

Villa thought they had taken the lead when Alex Moreno's superb strike from outside the box arrowed into the bottom corner, but the VAR ruled it out for offside in the buildup.

It took more than three minutes to make the decision, during which both sets of fans chanted their displeasure with the use of the VAR system.

Martinez also saved from James Garner by diving low to his left, while Matty Cash's goal-bound shot was blocked and John McGinn's follow-up was cleared off the line.

SportsLigue