By Chris McKenna BBC Sport

Victor Anichebe came off the bench to earn Everton a point as Aston Villa's poor home form continued.

Darren Bent opened the scoring for the hosts with a scuffed finish from Stephen Ireland's pass in the 56th minute.

David Moyes' response was to bring on Anichebe and he slotted home after Landon Donovan played him through.

Anichebe had a late attempt to grab a winner with a fierce strike but Shay Given denied him a winner.

Villa had only won three home games this season out of 10 but, with Everton having only managed a solitary victory at Villa Park since the inception of the Premier League, the hosts would have been hopeful of improving that record.

Alex McLeish was left disappointed with his side's draw after taking the lead

However it was Everton, with Darron Gibson making his debut after his move from Manchester United on Friday, who dominated the early stages.

Only the heroics of Shay Given, who returned to the starting line-up after six weeks out with a hamstring injury, kept Villa in the game as he made a stunning save to deny Louis Saha after the striker rose well to head Leighton Baines' header on target.

Given was called upon again soon after, this time to spare the blushes of his own team-mate.

Saha failed to get up to reach a Baines cross and Stephen Warnock was caught unaware as the ball came off his head but Given proved that Villa boss Alex McLeish was right to slot him straight back into the starting line-up.

Did you know?

  • Villa have now gone 12 league games unbeaten against Everton

Villa's best chance of the half fell to Marc Albrighton but, just as he was about to strike from close range, Royston Drenthe tracked back to make a last-ditch tackle.

After the break Everton went close again when Marouane Fellaini met Baines' free-kick at the back post, but Given was on hand to save with his shoulder.

Given's performance paid dividends when Bent opened the scoring in the 56th minute and, like much of Villa's play early on, it was scrappy.

Shane Duffy failed to clear Albrighton's cross and Ireland pounced to retrieve the ball and tee up Bent.

The England striker's finish was certainly not his best but, with the help of a deflection off a sliding Phil Neville, the ball spun over Howard.

Moyes praises Donovan influence

Moyes hauled off Drenthe soon after to bring on Anichebe and the substitute made an almost instant impact.

A perfectly-timed pass from Donovan cut open the hosts' defence and Anichebe managed to stay onside before calmly slotting past Given.

Desperate for a win, McLeish brought on Robbie Keane to make his debut with just under 10 minutes remaining in place of Warnock, but the on-loan LA Galaxy striker could not muster up a Hollywood-style finish.

Villa threw men into the box but, except for a couple of scrambles in the area, they never came close and Everton's best chance of a late winner came to Anichebe, only for Given to be on hand to save again.

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish:

"I'm disappointed we didn't hold on. I had a good feeling we would. It's such a shame that Albrighton tracked Anichebe back but just didn't do the final thing to stop him.

"We are gutted by that. It's a good learning experience for him. It hurt us a wee bit by not getting three points.

"It was great to see Darren [Bent] back in the goals. He's been struggling a bit with injuries but he finished the game well."

Everton manager David Moyes:

"I was really pleased to see it [the equaliser] myself. We played in midweek against Tottenham and that tiredness was beginning to show but thankfully we got the equaliser.

"Victor was put through by the best man on the pitch today in Landon Donovan. All in all it was a goal and well played Landon.

"We were without a lot of players today so great credit to the boys for picking up a great point."

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (4)

Aston Villa

  • 01 Given
  • 02 Hutton
  • 03 Warnock (Keane - 81' )
  • 05 Dunne
  • 06 Collins
  • 21 Clark
  • 07 Ireland
  • 12 Albrighton Booked
  • 19 Petrov
  • 09 Bent
  • 11 Agbonlahor

Substitutes

  • 22 Guzan
  • 24 Cuellar
  • 10 N'Zogbia
  • 16 Delph
  • 25 Bannan
  • 38 Gardner
  • 20 Keane

Everton

  • 24 Howard
  • 03 Baines
  • 05 Heitinga
  • 18 Neville
  • 34 Duffy
  • 04 Gibson (Bilyaletdinov - 84' )
  • 10 Drenthe (Anichebe - 61' )
  • 17 Cahill
  • 25 Fellaini Booked
  • 08 Saha (Stracqualursi - 88' )
  • 09 Donovan

Substitutes

  • 01 Mucha
  • 07 Bilyaletdinov
  • 11 Stracqualursi
  • 14 McFadden
  • 19 Gueye
  • 27 Vellios
  • 28 Anichebe
Ref: Clattenburg
Att: 31,853

Match Stats

Shots

17 7

On target

11 4

Corners

9 3

Fouls

12 11

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:09

The referee blows for the end of the match.

90:00 +3:43

Tim Cahill takes a shot from long range which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

90:00 +2:18

The ball is sent over by Landon Donovan, save by Shay Given.

90:00 +1:02

James Collins concedes a free kick for a foul on Denis Stracqualursi. Free kick crossed left-footed by Leighton Baines from left channel, clearance made by Alan Hutton.

90:00 +0:05

Unfair challenge on Johnny Heitinga by Alan Hutton results in a free kick. Tim Howard takes the free kick.

89:02

Johnny Heitinga restarts play with the free kick.

89:02 Booking

Booking Marc Albrighton booked for unsporting behaviour.

88:46

Landon Donovan fouled by Marc Albrighton, the ref awards a free kick.

88:03

Robbie Keane has an effort at goal. Blocked by Johnny Heitinga.

87:27 Substitution

Substitution Denis Stracqualursi joins the action as a substitute, replacing Louis Saha.

86:56

The ball is delivered by Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, save by Shay Given.

86:01

Louis Saha takes a shot. Darren Bent gets a block in.

86:01

Victor Anichebe takes a shot. Blocked by Darren Bent.

85:34

Corner taken right-footed by Landon Donovan from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by James Collins.

85:20

Victor Anichebe takes a shot. Save by Shay Given.

85:01

Ciaran Clark delivers the ball, Johnny Heitinga makes a clearance.

84:18

The ball is swung over by Landon Donovan, Ciaran Clark manages to make a clearance.

83:52

The ball is sent over by Tim Cahill, clearance made by Stiliyan Petrov.

83:01 Substitution

Substitution Darron Gibson goes off and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov comes on.

82:19

The ball is crossed by Marc Albrighton, clearance made by Shane Duffy.

81:35

Corner from the right by-line taken by Marc Albrighton, James Collins takes a shot. Tim Howard makes a save.

81:13

Stiliyan Petrov takes a shot. Clearance by Johnny Heitinga.

80:38

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Marc Albrighton, Louis Saha makes a clearance.

80:38 Substitution

Substitution Robbie Keane joins the action as a substitute, replacing Stephen Warnock.

80:16

The ball is swung over by Gabriel Agbonlahor, Phil Neville manages to make a clearance.

79:15

A cross is delivered by Landon Donovan, save by Shay Given.

76:40

Johnny Heitinga concedes a free kick for a foul on Darren Bent. Direct free kick taken by James Collins.

76:26

Phil Neville crosses the ball, Alan Hutton manages to make a clearance.

73:33

Unfair challenge on Victor Anichebe by Stephen Warnock results in a free kick. Free kick crossed right-footed by Landon Donovan, Stephen Ireland makes a clearance.

72:56

Effort on goal by Marc Albrighton from just outside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target.

72:43

A cross is delivered by Marc Albrighton, clearance by Johnny Heitinga.

69:29

Marc Albrighton sends in a cross, clearance by Johnny Heitinga.

68:07

Assist by Landon Donovan.

68:07 Goal scored

Goal - Victor Anichebe - A Villa 1 - 1 Everton Victor Anichebe gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Aston Villa 1-1 Everton.

67:50

Stephen Ireland takes a shot. Save made by Tim Howard.

67:46

A cross is delivered by Marc Albrighton, Tim Cahill manages to make a clearance.

67:21

Marc Albrighton decides to take the corner short.

67:02

The ball is delivered by Marc Albrighton, clearance by Phil Neville.

66:05

The assistant referee flags for offside against Darren Bent. Johnny Heitinga restarts play with the free kick.

65:06

Marc Albrighton delivers the ball, Header on goal by Gabriel Agbonlahor from inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.

64:42

Short corner taken by Marc Albrighton from the left by-line.

64:10

Corner taken right-footed by Marc Albrighton from the right by-line to the near post, Alan Hutton takes a shot. Blocked by Johnny Heitinga.

63:50

The ball is sent over by Marc Albrighton, clearance by Landon Donovan.

63:17

Marc Albrighton delivers the ball, clearance by Shane Duffy.

62:45

Darron Gibson concedes a free kick for a foul on Stephen Ireland. Free kick taken by Stiliyan Petrov.

62:05

Landon Donovan takes the outswinging corner, clearance by James Collins.

61:56

The ball is sent over by Louis Saha, clearance by Stephen Warnock.

60:32 Substitution

Substitution Victor Anichebe replaces Royston Drenthe.

60:05

The ball is crossed by Stephen Warnock. Stephen Warnock crosses the ball. The ball is sent over by Marc Albrighton, save made by Tim Howard.

58:23

The ball is delivered by Alan Hutton.

57:41

Stephen Ireland crosses the ball, Darren Bent takes a shot. Save by Tim Howard.

55:25

Stephen Ireland provided the assist for the goal.

55:25 Goal scored

Goal - Darren Bent - A Villa 1 - 0 Everton Darren Bent fires in a goal from inside the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Aston Villa 1-0 Everton.

55:18

The ball is sent over by Marc Albrighton,

55:04

The ball is crossed by Gabriel Agbonlahor, Leighton Baines makes a clearance.

54:08

Unfair challenge on Stephen Ireland by Tim Cahill results in a free kick. Free kick taken by James Collins.

50:54

Marc Albrighton takes the inswinging corner, Darren Bent takes a shot. Save made by Tim Howard.

52:29

Corner taken by Marc Albrighton played to the near post, Tim Howard makes a save.

52:17

The ball is crossed by Marc Albrighton, Tim Howard makes a save.

52:05

The ball is sent over by Stephen Ireland, Shane Duffy makes a clearance.

50:54

Corner taken by Marc Albrighton, Darren Bent takes a shot. Blocked by Johnny Heitinga.

48:39

Darren Bent gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Royston Drenthe. Leighton Baines delivers the ball, Marouane Fellaini takes a shot. Save made by Shay Given.

47:51

Unfair challenge on Landon Donovan by Gabriel Agbonlahor results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Tim Howard.

47:43

The ball is sent over by Marc Albrighton.

45:58

Landon Donovan crosses the ball, James Collins makes a clearance.

45:01

The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.

45:00 +1:12

The ref blows to signal half-time.

45:00 +0:48

The ball is delivered by Stephen Warnock, clearance by Tim Cahill.

43:38

The ball is crossed by Royston Drenthe, clearance by Stephen Warnock.

42:28

Foul by Royston Drenthe on James Collins, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Marc Albrighton.

42:11

The ball is sent over by Gabriel Agbonlahor, clearance by Johnny Heitinga.

41:12

Corner taken by Marc Albrighton from the right by-line played to the near post, Effort on goal by James Collins from inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the bar.

40:59

Gabriel Agbonlahor takes a shot. Tim Howard makes a save.

40:02

Stephen Warnock produces a cross, Darren Bent produces a header from inside the area that goes over the bar.

39:09

The ball is swung over by Leighton Baines, save by Shay Given.

36:10

The ball is sent over by Darren Bent.

35:18

Corner taken by Royston Drenthe played to the near post, clearance made by Darren Bent.

35:11

The ball is swung over by Landon Donovan, Ciaran Clark manages to make a clearance.

34:15

Stephen Warnock takes the direct free kick.

34:15 Booking

Booking The referee shows Marouane Fellaini a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

34:09

Foul by Marouane Fellaini on Stephen Ireland, free kick awarded.

32:24

Louis Saha fouled by Stiliyan Petrov, the ref awards a free kick. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Johnny Heitinga from left channel, clearance by Richard Dunne.

30:36

Gabriel Agbonlahor takes a outswinging corner to the near post, James Collins has a header from close in and clears the crossbar.

30:28

The ball is crossed by Gabriel Agbonlahor, clearance by Royston Drenthe.

28:53

Phil Neville challenges Gabriel Agbonlahor unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Stephen Warnock.

28:10

Foul by Royston Drenthe on Stiliyan Petrov, free kick awarded. Stiliyan Petrov takes the free kick.

25:33

Free kick awarded for a foul by Stephen Ireland on Royston Drenthe. Leighton Baines fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick.

24:42

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Phil Neville by Gabriel Agbonlahor. Free kick crossed by Royston Drenthe, clearance by Darren Bent.

22:49

A cross is delivered by Royston Drenthe, Stephen Warnock takes a shot. Save by Shay Given.

22:19

The ball is sent over by Landon Donovan.

22:19

The ball is delivered by Landon Donovan.

18:05

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Landon Donovan by Ciaran Clark. Phil Neville takes the direct free kick.

17:49

Darron Gibson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Stiliyan Petrov. Free kick taken by Richard Dunne.

17:16

Foul by Marouane Fellaini on Richard Dunne, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Shay Given.

16:13

Louis Saha fouled by James Collins, the ref awards a free kick. A cross is delivered by Leighton Baines, Louis Saha takes a shot. Shay Given makes a save.

15:48

The ball is delivered by Alan Hutton, save by Tim Howard.

12:21

Phil Neville crosses the ball, clearance by Richard Dunne.

10:16

Marc Albrighton has a drilled shot. Johnny Heitinga gets a block in.

8:07

The referee blows for offside. Phil Neville takes the free kick.

6:16

Darren Bent fouled by Johnny Heitinga, the ref awards a free kick. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Stiliyan Petrov, save made by Tim Howard.

5:28

Stiliyan Petrov challenges Royston Drenthe unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Darron Gibson.

1:49

The ball is sent over by Stephen Warnock, Darron Gibson manages to make a clearance.

1:30

Foul by Darron Gibson on Stiliyan Petrov, free kick awarded. Stiliyan Petrov takes the free kick.

0:00

The game gets underway.

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