Beto misses chances as Everton held by Villa

Everton and Aston Villa played out a scrappy, ill-tempered Premier League stalemate at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Beto missed a big chance in each half to give Everton the lead, the worst coming in the opening moments when he miskicked in front of an open goal after being set up by Iliman Ndiaye.

Emiliano Martinez, back in goal for Villa after failing to secure a move before the transfer deadline, was in fine form, especially when he reacted superbly to divert Michael Keane's header over the top from a pinpoint Jack Grealish cross.

Grealish, newly crowned Premier League player of the month, tried to find the spark but was unable to force the breakthrough.

Villa, who have yet to score a league goal this season, were subdued and their best moment was when a shot from Emiliano Buendia was deflected narrowly wide.

Everton pay for missed chances

Everton and their supporters were left frustrated after dominating Villa but failing to turn superiority into another three points.

Beto is an honest trier as a striker and his attitude cannot be faulted, but he falls short of the class Everton require to turn the creation of Grealish and Ndiaye into consistent end product.

The gifted pair probed throughout, with Beto holding his head in anguish when he wasted that big early chance, while Grealish's cross twice created chances for Keane, his first header saved superbly by Martinez. The defender could not stretch enough to turn in a second opportunity.

Everton, despite only securing a point, can take heart from the manner in which they exerted control over Villa, with 20 shots to six, that lack of finishing adding to the frustration around Hill Dickinson Stadium, although that was aimed mainly at referee Simon Hooper in a stop-start game.

It is also a sign of raised expectations at Everton that a draw was not regarded as satisfying result, but there was plenty to encourage manager David Moyes.

Dull Villa draw another blank

Villa manager Unai Emery was a picture of agitated frustration in his technical area as his side produced another shot-shy performance which leaves them without a league goal this season.

Villa were ragged, uninspired and, had they got anything more than a point from this game, it would have ranked as grand larceny.

No matter what Emery tried - even introducing deadline-day loan signing from Liverpool, Harvey Elliott, late on - it still failed to galvanise a side looking a shadow of the energetic, vibrant outfit that have illuminated the Premier League in recent seasons.

In the end they were grateful to Martinez, seemingly back in the good books with Villa fans after falling from favour when he tried to seek a move away from Villa Park, for an excellent performance, highlighted by that second-half save from Keane.

Emery needs to find a winning formula and fast as the season has been a slog for a club of such high ambition, although a point may be of some consolation after defeats at Brentford and at home to Crystal Palace.

What's next for these teams?

Everton travel to Anfield for the Merseyside derby against Liverpool on 20 September before they face Wolves in the Carabao Cup third round at Molineux on 23 September.

Villa travel to Brentford in the third round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday, then play Sunderland away in the Premier League on 21 September.