Jagielka´s own goal rescues dramatic draw for Villa

Aston Villa rescued a dramatic 2-2 draw against Everton thanks to Phil Jagielka’s late own goal on Wednesday but their bid for a Champions League spot is all but over.

Martin O’Neill’s team needed a win at Villa Park to have any chance of catching fourth placed Manchester City in the race to land a place in Europe’s elite club competition.

Instead they were fortunate to salvage a point and are now seven points behind City with five games to play.

Everton had taken the lead through Australia midfielder Tim Cahill in the first half. Gabriel Agbonlahor equalised for Villa after the interval, but Cahill struck again before Jagielka’s late mistake gifted the hosts a point.

O’Neill kept faith with the same players who lost Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea, while Moyes brought Nigerian striker Ayegbeni Yakubu back into the Everton team in place of leading scorer Louis Saha.

While the visitors were unbeaten in their last six league games, it was Villa who took control in the early stages as they tried to shake off their FA Cup hangover.

Stewart Downing tested Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard with a snap-shot, then John Carew deflected a Downing corner just past the far post.

When Howard did well to turn a first-time shot from James Milner around the post from Agbonlahor’s through ball, it looked like Everton would be in a tough time.

But Leon Osman led the Toffee’ response as his ferocious drive was pushed away by Brad Friedel, who then reacted well to keep out a rising close-range effort from Dinyar Bilyaletdinov.

Downing and Ashley Young were unable to hit the target as Villa tried to reestablish their grip on the game.

But it was Everton who took the lead in the 23rd minute thanks to Cahill’s eighth goal of the season.

Villa left-back Stephen Warnock was adjudged to have brought down Osman and Leighton Baines floated the ball into the Villa area for Cahill to head past Friedel.

Villa’s leading scorer Carew showed tremendous strength and desire to hold off Jagielka but could only slice his shot into the side netting.

Moyes’ men needed another fine save from Howard as the American pushed away a close-range header from Carlos Cuellar.

Everton lost Dutch defender Johnny Heitinga to injury early in the second half and the visitors were briefly fazed by that setback.

Carew created half a chance from nothing when surrounded by Everton defenders and his shot deflected wide.

Villa’s pressure told as Agbonlahor brought the hosts level with his 50th goal for the club in the 72nd minute.

Milner sent over a cross from the touchline and Agbonlahor directed a glancing header wide of Howard into the corner of the net.

Just two minutes later Cahill restored Everton’s lead with another trademark header.

Villa’s defending was poor as Cahill was presented with a free header to convert Bilyaletdinov’s corner.

But in injury time Jagielka headed past his own goalkeeper from a Young centre to earn Villa a point.