Everton 0-0 Aston Villa
by James Nalton
at Bramley Moore Dock

IT WAS four years and two months before Goodison Park witnessed its first goalless draw, which came against Wolves in October 1896, but Everton’s new stadium on Bramley Moore Dock has one within its first month. The signs for Everton remain good enough for them to fancy their chances when they visit Anfield on Saturday.

Everton were the better team as they drew 0-0 with Aston Villa on Saturday, but David Moyes’s new-look side lacked quality in the final moment. A handful of chances fell to striker Beto, but were wasted due to poor touches or, on a couple of occasions, no touch at all.

Summer signing Jack Grealish continued his promising start for Everton with another quality display, but himself wasted a good chance, choosing to play an extra pass rather than shoot when space opened up.

Everton fans got a look at new signing Merlin Rohl, who put in an encouraging performance on his debut off the bench in midfield, while the travelling Villa contingent got to see Harvey Elliott in action for the first time. 

As a former Liverpool player, Elliott was roundly booed by the majority of the 52,114 in attendance at Bramley-Moore.

Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a great save to keep out a Michael Keane header in the second half, and this moment alone was probably enough to make the Argentine stopper the best player on the day.

One of Everton’s best opportunities came towards the end of the game after Villa had enjoyed a spell of possession, but with little advance. 

A stray pass within that period of possession gave Rohl the chance to play in Thierno Barry, who had replaced Beto, but the substitute’s shot was stopped by a good recovering block from Mings.

The signs for Everton remain good enough for them to fancy their chances when they visit Anfield on Saturday.