Premier League: Everton 2 Aston Villa 2

Gabriel Agbonlahor’s late header was enough to earn Aston Villa a point in a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park against Everton.

The home side had twice taken the lead through Leon Osman and a Leighton Baines penalty scored either side of a fantastic goal by Stiliyan Petrov.

The game had taken place amid protests from Everton supporters against the recent cash troubles under Bill Kenwright’s ownership.

The Toffees started much the better side, however, and could have been ahead within the first 10 minutes as Osman hit the post and Phil Jagielka saw his effort cleared off the line.

Osman was not to be denied 10 minutes later however, latching on to Tim Cahill’s superb reverse pass to slot home from 12 yards.

The image of Kenwright appearing on the big screen at Goodison was met with a loud but mixed reaction from the home support amid growing pressure on the Everton owner to find new investment after the club lost Mikel Arteta on deadline day.

Everton continued in a similar vein throughout the first half and should have gone into the half-time break with more than their one-goal lead.

Villa came out for the second half with much more purpose about their game although were unable to find a way past an immense Sylvain Distin at the back for Everton.

It took something special to get Villa back on level terms. Petrov picked the ball up 30 yards from goal and under no pressure from Everton players, hit a superb shot into the corner of Tim Howard’s goal that gave the American no chance.

The scores were not level for long, an Everton corner was headed goalwards by Cahill, Shay Given made a fantastic save but Fabian Delph bundled Jagielka over in the box from the resulting melee and referee Michael Oliver awarded Everton a spot kick.

Baines dispatched the penalty coolly to restore Everton’s advantage.

Villa pressed for an equaliser and they were rewarded seven minutes from time when Marc Albrighton’s left-wing cross was nodded home by Agbonlahor.

Everton had late chances to snatch a winner but substitutes Apostolos Vellios and Marouane Fellaini were unable to beat Given.