Everton 2-2 Aston Villa

Transfer deadlines produces twists and turns, players leaving and players being recruited. The domino effect, for Arsenal; Fabregas left meaning there needed a replcement, in came Mikel Artera of Everton. For Aston Villa; Stewart Downing, Brad Frediel, Luke Young, Nigel Reo-Coker being replaced by Charles N'Zogbia, Shay Given, Alan Hutton and Jermaine Jenas respectively. Only one without a replacement: Ashley Young. A man that's quality couldn't be replaced.

Alex McLeish's Aston Villa were complete. Facing Everton first after the rebuild had finally come to an end, at least for another four months.

In your head as any supporter of any club when you face the Blues at Goodison Park you know your in for a tough game. A very tough game, even if their star man has left for a so-called bigger club and they only have one fit striker and to add to that they have no money what-so-ever plus unhappy fans that have a 'friendly' protest before kick-off, Everton FC still manage to keep that team spirit and togetherness to make sure your in for a rollercoaster ride.

Coming from behind twice in a thrilling game, Aston Villa also showed they have the character and spirit which was missing for 24 shocking months in the Premier League last season.

McLeish is a believer in team togetherness.

The claret and blue's sloppy fisrt half and Everton's fast-tempo, 'catch me if you can' attidute meant that the Toffes took to the dressing room with a well deserved 1-0 lead. Villa never made their mark during the first forty-five, letting Everton play their own game; setting the tempo, producing chances for make-do strikers Leon Osman and Tim Cahill. Thanks to them Everton scored the first goal of the game as they combined magicly in the box before Osman slotted past Shay Given into the bottom left corner.

Shortly after Aston Villa made their own chance when N'Zogbia picked up a ball and comfortably hit it against the opposition for it to luckily fall to Scottish 'wonderkid' Barry Bannan whose shot from 40 yards out forcing Tim Howard into a save.

The second half made for better viewing, a more end-to-end, who knows what's gonna happen half. Both teams on top attacking form, Aston Villa eventually making the break-through and equalising with a fine 35 yard shot from skipper Stiliyan Petrov. Curling past the helpless American Howard. Just after Everton where disallowed a penalty after Barry Bannan caught Leighton Baines.

Everton brought back the lead once again after this time their penalty shout was given. Fabian Delph clambering above Jagiekla after a breath taking save from number one Given.

With just ten minutes to go Gabby Agbonlahor played a the ball down the wing to sub Marc Albrighton who swung in a peach of a cross perfectly to the head of Gabby. Involved from the start of the move to the end, local boy Gabs nodded calmy with a hot headed finish into the back of the net.

A few points to take from the game:

-Why play Hutton when Herd produced a man of the match performance against Wolves?

-N'Zogbia needs to learn how to control his temper as well as defend.

-Darren Bent desperately needs service.

-Gabby needs to play up top.

-Fabian Delph shouldn't jump too early.

-Dunney's lost some weight.

-Warnock was awful.

-Petrov can shoot and score.

-Bannan and Albrighton need to play for creativeness.