LIVERPOOL, England, Jan 14 (Reuters) – Aston Villa missed the chance to go second in the Premier League when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday, dominating possession in an entertaining contest but unable to break down a stubborn home side.
Villa move to 43 points from 21 games, level with second-placed Manchester City, but two behind league leaders Liverpool. Both those clubs have played a game fewer. Everton are now a point clear of the relegation zone with 17 from their 21 games.
The visitors had several chances to open the scoring, but the best opportunity in the game fell to Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin when he raced clear one-on-one with Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, but had his effort saved.
Both sides had goals correctly chalked off by the Video Assistant Referee for offside and Everton will be the happier with the point, while Villa manager Unai Emery may well view it as a missed opportunity and two dropped.
Villa thought they had the lead when Alex Moreno’s superb strike from outside the box arrowed into the bottom corner, but it was chalked off by the VAR for an offside in the build-up.
It took more than three minutes to make the decision, during which time both sets of supporters chanted in unison their displeasure at the use of the VAR system.
Leon Bailey forced a superb low save from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with a shot from eight yards that was arrowing into the bottom corner, before the home side should have been in front.
Calvert-Lewin raced clear, but Argentine World Cup winner Martinez made a superb stop and moments later saved again from James Garner, diving low to his left.
Calvert-Lewin’s effort was Everton’s first shot on target in the Premier League in three hours and 11 minutes.
Villa’s John McGinn and Everton’s Arnaut Danjuma had shots at either end flash wide with the goalkeepers beaten, before the visitors had several chances in quick succession.
Matty Cash saw his goal-bound effort blocked and McGinn’s follow-up was cleared off the line.
Captain Seamus Coleman made his 355th appearance in the Premier League for Everton, a club record.
