Michael Keane highlighted the positives in Everton’s showing against Aston Villa despite the goalless draw at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.
The Blues were by far the better side and dominated Unai Emery’s side for most of the game. Everton, however, lacked a finishing touch and had only two shots on target from their 20 attempts.
The backline, led by Keane and James Tarkowski, was absolutely colossal and didn’t allow the opposition to test Jordan Pickford’s goal.
“I thought we were really good. I thought we got on the front foot and made it really tough for Aston Villa. I think on another day, it's a game we win,” Keane said after the game.
“I think we had the chances, and I think a lot of chances were really close to being good chances, but it just didn't quite happen for us today.
“But I think the performance was really good and one to be happy with.”
The 32-year-old was not only rock-solid in defence, but he also had a few chances to score from set pieces and crosses. While Keane is content with getting into the right areas, he was disappointed not to put his side ahead in the game.
“To be fair, the first one is not an easy header,” he recalled. “The second one is a great save from the keeper, and the third one, I feel like I was stretching for it.
“I was in the positions and had some great deliveries, so on another day I'm sure I could have scored one or two, but I think the more you keep getting in those positions, the more likely you are to score. I’m disappointed we couldn’t get the win.”
Everton boss David Moyes echoed sentiments similar to Keane's in his post-match words. Asked about his feelings after the goalless draw, Moyes said, “I thought we played really well today. I thought our intensity, the way we kept at it, we never stepped back nearly all game.
“I thought we had the best of it to be honest. I feel we were a bit unlucky not to come away with all three points. It was frustrating but we’re trying to improve. We lost 1-0 to Aston Villa the last time we played them in my first game and today we got a draw.
“If you were being honest, you’d probably say we warranted a bit more, but we didn’t get it. That happens in football at times and we made enough chances to probably score but we needed that clinical finish.
“I’m more pleased because I thought the players put in a brilliant performance. They played with a lot of confidence and a lot of intensity and I thought the crowd showed that as well, they saw the team fighting all the way until the last minute.”
Reader Comments (10)
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2 Posted 14/09/2025 at 08:54:05
3 Posted 14/09/2025 at 11:38:54
The January window isn't the best time to get players in, so I expect we need next summer too. With the full compliment of staff now in place, we should be totally on top of this, and the difference in the new club operations will no doubt extend to youth development too.
So a draw felt poor yesterday, but the mood is so much better, I expect a good showing next week too.
4 Posted 14/09/2025 at 11:44:00
Pleased with Keane's performance. He has readily stepped in to provide reliable cover while Branthwaite is out.
5 Posted 14/09/2025 at 12:09:26
We need at least 2 more windows with a minimum £100M spend to build up a decently competitive squad. It's a work in progress.
6 Posted 14/09/2025 at 12:11:08
7 Posted 14/09/2025 at 13:05:00
We had loads of creativity in that first half and made chances around dangerous areas, but nobody could poach a goal.
8 Posted 14/09/2025 at 13:31:04
You did well yesterday, Mr Keane, but this ranks high in my book as one of the stupidest football tropes out there.
On another day, you're playing a completely different opponent, the team line-up may be quite different, and the way the game pans out will be totally different.
There isn't another day like this one this season because this is the only time you play Aston Villa at home in the Premier League. The game was there to win, we played very well, we created chances, but we blew it.
Well, ultimately, it was Moyes who blew it by not going for it. Dull dour dithering Dave is right on the money, Mr Abrahms.
Garner was laughing at that miss? I was livid and nearly smashed the keyboard, I could not believe the ball failed to go in the net. I think I'm more annoyed now than I was watching it.
Arrrrghh!
9 Posted 14/09/2025 at 13:48:59
10 Posted 14/09/2025 at 14:57:38
ps: Your post was and still is on a different thread. My bad for cross-referencing... but in my defence, I was, er, cross.
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1 Posted 14/09/2025 at 08:45:12
Hopefully this gets sorted in January.