Everton battled through a first-half VAR scare to secure a well-deserved draw against a spirited Aston Villa side. The Toffees, who welcomed Abdoulaye Doucoure back into the side, were buoyed by a strong start in which they produced a string of half chances. However, the constant ebb and flow of the clash saw the ascendency flip, before the hosts finished the half with a flourish. They should have led through Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but also could have felt fortunate that an 18th-minute VAR call landed in their favour. The second half seemed to devolve into a bitty affair, with a few tough tack…
