The game ended in a 0-0 draw, and although it may have been a fair result, both Villa and Everton supporters will likely regret missed opportunities to secure a win.
Unai Emery’s team had several good chances in the second half and may feel like they deserved the victory. Meanwhile, Everton fans may feel that Dominic Calvert-Lewin should have converted a great opportunity in the first half to give his team the lead.
However, there was a controversial moment in the second half when Villa believed they should have been awarded a penalty. John McGinn led the appeals after James Tarkowski made a reckless challenge on Moussa Diaby in the box, causing the Villa player to feel the full force of the follow-through. Although Tarkowski made contact with the ball first, Alan Shearer believed it was a penalty and that Villa was unlucky not to be awarded it.
Despite the contentious incident, both teams played well in the match, which was far from boring. Everton showed impressive defensive skills to keep a clean sheet, while Villa launched a late attack. The game was a reminder that there is a fine line between defending strongly and going too far.
Looking ahead, Villa may benefit from a boost in the January transfer window, while Everton may focus on retaining their best players, including Amadou Onana and Jarrad Branthwaite. Additionally, Leon Osman was impressed with the progress of a different Everton player this season.
