January Aston Villa were held to a 0-0 draw away at Everton on Sunday, a result that temporarily checks their unexpected English Premier League title challenge. The visitors thought they had claimed victory when Alex Moreno’s strike was disallowed by VAR for a tight offside call.
The decision means Villa have won just one of their last four league matches as their bid to win the title for the first time since 1981 loses pace. Unai Emery’s side sit third, two points behind leaders Liverpool having played a game more. They trail second-placed Manchester City on goal difference.
Everton remained one place above the bottom three after failing to win for a fourth straight league game. Their 10-point deduction earlier this campaign for financial rules breaches leaves them precariously positioned just a point clear of the relegation zone.
The match was high on commitment but low on clear-cut chances. Ollie Watkins went close for Villa when forcing a save from Jordan Pickford. Everton’s best opening saw Dominic Calvert-Lewin hesitate when well-placed, allowing Emiliano Martinez to rush out and block.
The result means that Villa, with just one win in their last four games, have to get their title charge back on track when they meet Newcastle at the end of the month. Everton are away to Fulham next.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
