Player Ratings: Everton 2-2 Aston Villa

Rarely had anything to do during the game against Villa. A couple of saves kept the American on his toes. The ‘keeper had no chance however in saving Petrov’s stunning equalizer, even at full stretch.

A sterling effort from the center back ensured his side a clean-sheet and his tackles really made the difference at times, with a particular challenge on Abgonlahor in the Everton area a pleasing highlight.

Kept strong throughout the game, didn’t put in such a valiant performance as his defensive partner Distin, but did well to keep at the likes of Bent and N’Zobgia on the rare occasion they attacked. However, should have done better with a free header in the second-half just a few yards from goal.

A quiet game from the fullback, but solid all the same. Never really put a foot wrong despite looking his age with a distinct lack of pace.

A strong performance from the Belgian in the middle. Held the ball up well and wasn’t afraid to get stuck in on the tackle and did a great job all round for his team.

Looked very nimble despite only just recovering from his ankle injury and was very active down the right side for the hosts and offered a lot of creativity for his side, especially when working with Cahill on the inside.

A perfect arrival and positioning the box made Cahill’s job and his own very easy in creating and scoring Everton’s opening goal. The midfielder did well in the absence of Mikel Arteta and could very well be the existing replacement for the Spaniard the Toffees need.

Got plenty of possession down the left-side and worked well with Baines, but with the amount of crosses the Russian was able to put into the Villa box his manager would have liked them to have been fairly more accurate than they were.

Had the most simple of passes to allow Osman to score Everton’s opener and the Australian backed this up with an aggressive display alone on the frontline. However, the attacker never really looked like scoring and his manager will be glad to have a true striker fit soon.

A better display from the young midfielder this time round as he worked well with Fellaini in the center of the park and showed attacking spirit.

Looked a bit tentative at the start of the game and failed to deal with a simple shot in the early moments, instead leaving Dunne to deal with the loose ball in dangerous circumstances, with his compatriot barely getting the ball away in time. May have done better with Everton’s opener, but had no say in the penalty after Baines sent him the wrong way.

Very much absent during Osman’s goal, allowing the midfielder to wander inside the Villa area and simply place the ball past Given. Otherwise, not too bad a performance.

Was busy watching the wrong man when Osman arrived into the Villa box to score Everton’s opener and was a little hesitant at times to really challenge the hosts’ attackers.

Struggled to deal with the pace of Everton youngster Coleman at most points in the game and the former Liverpool man could have done better to stop both the Irishman and Tim Cahill pestering him on his side of the pitch.

The new signing from Tottenham had a quiet debut at right back for Villa failed to deal with the likes of Baines and Bilyaletdinov, letting the latter put in too many crosses into the Villa area.

The Bulgarian and Villa captain wasn’t at 100 percent against the Toffees, but his equalizing goal in the middle of the second half was an outstanding effort from the midfielder, sailing in a powerful shot from at least 30 yards and Howard at full stretch couldn’t even get a fingertip on the ball.

The Frenchman did a fair bit of wondering during the first-half, leaving Baines and Bilyaletdinov all of the left-side to have the ball as much as the pleased until they reached Hutton’s territory.

The attacker may still be adjusting himself to being on that left side, but this was not the best outing for the 24-year-old and failed to show the pace and creativity we all know he can produce. However, did well to grab Villa’s second with a close-range header.

The England international recovered from his injury picked whilst away with the national side, but looked out of sorts, especially when left to handle the frontline on his own when Heskey went off injured. The former Sunderland man rarely looked like putting Tim Howard under any pressure, mainly due to the lack of service from the men behind him.

Came off with an apparent hamstring problem and failed to have sufficient time to place his mark on the game.