Villa strike back twice for draw

Everton led twice, with Phil Neville's deflected effort and Joseph Yobo's close-range finish.

But Villa just refused to give up the chase, and Gabriel Agbonlahor and John Carew grabbed vital equalisers in a remarkable late spell of three goals in six minutes.

The gap is still three points, with the midlanders having a better goal difference.

After a goalless first half Everton emerged after the break with genuine purpose, looking for width and pace to unsettle Villa's defence.

Ayegbeni Yakubu's first touch sent him powering away from Zat Knight on the left, but his cross was wayward until the ball fell into Neville's path 25 yards out and his shot flicked off Martin Laursen and past Scott Carson.

Villa sent on attacking players Patrik Berger and Marlon Harewood for defenders Knight and Wilfred Bouma, the need for goals now critical for Villa's European dreams.

And after 80 minutes they succeeded. Gareth Barry's corner swirled into the box and Agbonlahor was free eight yards out to side-foot the equaliser past Tim Howard's flaying hands.

Everton's second came when Lee Carsley's clipped cross to the far post was met by Joseph Yobo, who slammed the ball into the roof of the net.

Everton thought they were home and dry, but two minutes later Villa were level again, Barry's cross being headed in by Carew, under intense pressure from Joleon Lescott.