Everton 2-2 Aston Villa

[TheDevils2001]

Mikel Arteta is only fit enough for the bench for today's clash with Aston Villa.
Arteta has been struggling with a stomach injury and was receiving treatment in Spain earlier this week.
But David Moyes has named an attacking 4-4-2 formation with both Yakubu and Andrew Johnson selected.

Leon Osman, Steven Pienaar will feature in an attacking midfield that also includes Manuel Fernandes and Lee Carsley.
Joleon Lescott continues at left back, while Phil Neville reverts to right back with Tony Hibbert amongst the substitutes.
Phil Jagielka and Joseph Yobo maintain their partnership in the centre of defence.
Joining Hibbert and Arteta on the bench are Victor Anichebe, Leighton Baines and keeper Stefan Wessels.
Villa's own attacking threat looks likely to come in the form of John Carew, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young who all start.

 

[TheDevils2001]

Today's lineup:

--------------- Howard ----------------------

Neville --- Yobo ----- Jagielka --- Lescott

Pienaar --- Osman --- Carsley --- Fernandes


---------------- AJ --- Yaks ---------------


Sub: Wessel, Hibbert, Arteta, Anichebe, Baines

 

[Namdrater]

Nice starting lineup, would have liked Arteta to have started but as long as Nev is at right back I cant complain. We have to win this one and seal 5th spot. COYB

 

[McBain]

up for this one lads!

Here we go, this is our chance to at least cement that 5th (yay) spot.

Our CUP FINAL today so if your at the game lets make some noise!

COYB!!!

 

[atrottel]

Bright start, crowd (including Amanda Holden) up for it, COYB!!!

Forget that, they just hit the bar and have had the majority of play in the last few minutes.

 

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

at the moment they're givin' us a bit of a tonkin', one of those ugly wins needed, the way these guys are looking though even if we get a minger it'll still prob go down to the zebra crossing game.

 

[Fletch]

at the moment they're givin' us a bit of a tonkin', one of those ugly wins needed, the way these guys are looking though even if we get a minger it'll still prob go down to the zebra crossing game.

Yep, once again we dont seem to have much about us. Good first 5 minutes then nothing.
WE have to turn the game from being on the back foot. They certainly have the muscle and big strong lads all over the pitch.

Manny hasnt been in the game and Yakubu and Johnson are chasing shadows at the moment. Get baines on the left or arteta and push pienaar in the middle. Carsley being subbed.

 

[Namdrater]

We came out really well but we have faded away as the half has gone on. Hopefully we can start the 2nd half the way we started the first and possibly keep it going that way. COYB

 

[Andriy.EFC]

I've lost hope

We were terrible in this 1st half. Our midfield is hopeless, can't string two passes together. Yakubu is playing like [Poor language removed], like for the last two months. Our defense has been hoofing the ball upfield for 30 minutes and every. single. time. villa have gotten the ball back through this. Mostly, we're showing no spirit, no game-raising attitude aside from the first 10 minutes. Did we even get a shot on target? Did we even get a shot after the first 10 minutes?

Hopeless.

 

[Toffe3m4n]

Really can't wait for this season to end.

I don't know what has happened to the players recently, but they all look like they just dont give a [Poor language removed] anymore..

 

[Neiler]

Really can't wait for this season to end.

I don't know what has happened to the players recently, but they all look like they just dont give a [Poor language removed] anymore..

Bit unfair mate, thought that was as better performence in that half then we've seen in recent weeks, we're lacking a bit of creativity in the middle Pienaar, Fernandes need to be more daring in the second half, Arteta should come on too!

A Mistake is going to win this with the weather hopefully its theirs!

C.O.Y.B.

 

[monty]

I have just watched a side that is a shadow of its former self, we have lost the plot totally. The ref is admittedly a prat but it is Phil Dowd so it is to be expected. Nevile's contibution has been woeful, Yak has opened a self service hatch, Ossie is drifting in and out, when he is out Pienaar is in so combined we have one player. Moyes should be kicking arse, throwing cups, screaming his bloody head off because that performance is not acceptable Villa are the best side by a distance. I fear for us in the second half as I cannot see what can be done about it

PS tf for Lee Carsley at least he's trying

 

[timmy17]

midfield is gone out of it..are we not fit? pienaar dosen't look like a big match player if you ask me...hoping for much better

 

[The Esk]

Mr the esk has texted me to say it's great to be back at Goodison, but what a terrible first half. Villa the better team by a mile

Mrs the esk

 

[trueblues1985]

Monty I couldnt have said it any better. We where woeful in the first half and thats putting it mildly.