Everton 0–0 Aston Villa: Martinez Denies Toffees in Frustrating Stalemate at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Everton were left frustrated by missed opportunities after being held to a goalless draw by Aston Villa, despite creating more than enough chances to win comfortably. The Toffees generated over 2xG from open play and set pieces, but a combination of wasteful finishing and an inspired display from Emiliano Martínez ensured Villa escaped with a point. The result extended Villa’s unbeaten run against Everton to 13 matches and marked their fifth consecutive clean sheet.

Beto endured a difficult afternoon in front of goal, spurning a clear-cut chance in each half. The most glaring came early on when he miscued in front of an open net following Iliman Ndiaye’s clever set-up. Everton dominated the game, outshooting Villa 20–6, but their wastefulness in front of goal summed up the frustration around Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Jack Grealish, fresh from being named Premier League Player of the Month, was Everton’s standout performer. Twice he provided superb deliveries for Michael Keane: one header forced a spectacular fingertip save from Martínez, while the other in stoppage time was glanced narrowly wide. These were among several big chances that went begging for David Moyes’ side.

For Villa, the problems in attack remain glaring. Unai Emery’s side are still searching for their first league goal of the campaign and offered little going forward. Their best moment arrived when Emiliano Buendía’s deflected effort trickled just wide. Otherwise, they were second-best throughout and reliant on their goalkeeper’s excellence to secure a share of the points.

Even the late introduction of Harvey Elliott, signed on deadline day from Liverpool, failed to lift Villa’s lethargic performance. Once a vibrant, high-energy outfit, Emery’s side now look flat and short on ideas. While a point away from home may provide some positives after back-to-back defeats to Brentford and Crystal Palace, the pressure is mounting on Emery to rediscover a winning formula.

For Everton, the disappointment was clear. Yet the sense of frustration also underlined their growing ambition under Moyes — this was a result that, despite the positives, fell well short of expectations.