Everton's chances of Champions League football are all but over as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Aston Villa in a thrilling Premiership clash on Sunday.

After a quiet first half, Everton took the lead in the 56th minute through Phil Neville but Aston Villa fought back well to equalize in the 80th minute through Gabriel Agbonlahor. Joseph Yobo looked to have given his side the win after putting Everton back in front six minutes from full time but Villa struck back immediately to equalize through John Carew two minutes later.

Both the sides struggled to find their rhythm on a wet pitch in the first half as chances were few and far. The first real chance of the match fell to Everton in the 19th minute when Yakubu saw his low shot parried away by Scott Carson.

Villa went closest to taking the lead in the first half through Ashley Young whose curling free kick beat Tim Howard but smashed against the cross bar. The second half started same as the first as both the teams struggled to string up passing moves in heavy rain.

However Everton final managed to break the Villa defense in the 56th minute when Neville latched on to Yakubu's cross and his shot took a deflection off Laursen to beat Carson in the goal. Everton almost doubled the lead minutes later when Steven Pienaar's cross almost beat Carson but the Villa keeper was alert to the danger and palmed away the ball.

Villa equalized 10 minutes from full time when Agbonlahor raced forward to meet Barry's corner before smashing the ball into the roof of the net. However Everton struck back and once again took the lead in the 84th minute when Yobo volleyed home Carsley's cross but Villa once again equalized two minutes later as Carew headed home Barry's cross to collect a point for his side.