CLOSE!published at 15:21 BST 2 May 2015
A heart-in-mouth moment for Everton's defence. John Stones was taking his time clearing the ball and was almost caught out by Charles N'Zogbia. The young England defender just about got away with it.
Summary
Aston Villa XI: Given, Bacuna, Vlaar, Okore, Richardson, Westwood, Cleverley, Delph, N’Zogbia, Grealish, Benteke
Everton XI: Howard, Baines, Jagielka, Stones, Coleman, Barry, McCarthy, Mirallas, Naismith, Lennon, Lukaku
CLOSE!published at 15:21 BST 2 May 2015
Postpublished at 15:18 BST 2 May 2015
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown
Final Score"Christian Benteke is an animal in the air - but as a defender you know that from the start and the marking on the cross for the goal [see 10 mins] is poor. You have to set yourself up to be favourite every times the ball comes in the box with this player. At the moment nobody can get near him though."
Postpublished at 15:18 BST 2 May 2015
Image source, Getty ImagesWe're early into the proceedings, admittedly, but as it stands Villa would move up to 14th and be four points clear of the relegation zone.
CLOSE!published at 15:16 BST 2 May 2015
Charles N'Zogbia forces a decent low save from Tim Howard with a free-kick from 25 yards. The hosts are playing with real confidence so far.
Join the debate at #bbcfootballpublished at 15:15 BST 2 May 2015
NathB: Villa to win the league!
Afolabi Shobowale: Benteke has just scored a Benteke.
Get involved using #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or drop us a line on the BBC Sport Facebook,, external or Google+ page., external
Postpublished at 15:13 BST 2 May 2015
Villa need the points more than Everton and they look the hungrier of the side so far. They're keeping the ball well and Everton are chasing shadows.
GOALpublished at 15:10 BST 2 May 2015
Image source, ReutersChristian Benteke is in red-hot form and he rises to head in from another Fabian Delph cross from the left. That's his 10th goal in in nine matches in all competitions.
Everton's gr-eight recordpublished at 15:09 BST 2 May 2015
Villa are attempting to end a miserable run against Everton. They have failed to beat the Toffees in their last eight attempts, drawing four and losing four.
Everton won this season's earlier encounter at Goodison Park 3-0, thanks to goals from Phil Jagielka, Romelu Lukaku and Seamus Coleman.
The home side are just about on top so far.
CLOSE!published at 15:08 BST 2 May 2015
Phil Jagielka heads over his own bar after Fabian Delph's cross but it was a bit too close for comfort from an Everton viewpoint. The resulting corner is aimed at Christian Benteke but it comes to nothing.
Postpublished at 15:05 BST 2 May 2015
Everton have Gareth Barry in midfield, playing against the club he served for 12 years. He gets an attack going by releasing Aaron Lennon but his cross towards Steven Naismith is cleared by Villa.
Postpublished at 15:03 BST 2 May 2015
An early touch for Shay Given in the Villa goal as he gathers a long ball forward that was aimed for Romelu Lukaku. Then, Steven Naismith gave the ball away in a dangerous area for Everton but Leighton Baines came to his rescue.
Postpublished at 15:00 BST 2 May 2015
Villa get us under way, defending the Holte End. Kicking from left to right, depending on which side of the ground you're watching from.
Postpublished at 14:59 BST 2 May 2015
Right. The players are on the pitch. Just waiting now for the customary handshakes and presentations to finish. Everton in white shirts with blue shorts. Aston Villa in their home claret and blue shirts with white shorts. Here we go.
Game of thronespublished at 14:57 BST 2 May 2015
Aston Villa are banking on the latest addition to the royal family following in her father's footsteps by becoming a little Villan.
Prince William is a Villa supporter and the club congratulated him on the birth of his baby daughter this morning with this tweet.
Image source, @AVFCOfficialSilver lining?published at 14:55 BST 2 May 2015
Villa will take on Arsenal in the FA Cup final at Wembley on 30 but one young fan has already had his hands on the trophy (albeit a replica version).
Image source, Getty ImagesIf you had to choose, Villa fans, would you rather win the Cup or survive in the Premier League?
Chris cost will make you jumppublished at 14:53 BST 2 May 2015
Villa's upturn in fortunes has coincided with a return to to form from their main striker, Christian Benteke. The Belgian has scored nine goals in his last eight league and cup games for Aston Villa, having only scored three times in his first 21 appearances.
Manager Tim Sherwood says Benteke would be too expensive for most Premier League clubs to buy.
What would be a fair price for Benteke?
Image source, BBC SportGet involved using #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or drop us a line on the BBC Sport Facebook,, external or Google+ page., external
Villa are Sher-shooterspublished at 14:52 BST 2 May 2015
Aston Villa fans have reasons to be cheerful thanks to Tim Sherwood. They have an FA Cup final to look forward to but before that, there's the small matter of making sure they avoid dropping out of the Premier League for the first time.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Villans are averaging a goal every six shots under Sherwood - compared with one every 16 under Paul Lambert.
Young guns down Toffeespublished at 14:49 BST 2 May 2015
Villa's most recent win over Everton came in August 2010 and the goal came from Young.
Image source, Getty ImagesNo, not Ashley, defender Luke, of course. It was one of only two league goals he scored for Villa.
Banishing the Bluespublished at 14:45 BST 2 May 2015
Not so long ago, Villa v Everton looked like it might be a scrap between two teams sweating on their top-flight status but the Toffees' excellent recent form means they arrive at Villa Park in relaxed mood.
Roberto Martinez's team have won five of their last six matches in the league, drawing the other and that sequence has moved the Merseyside club from 14th to 10th.
Haven't we met before?published at 14:40 BST 2 May 2015
Image source, BBC SportThis is the 200th staging of the most-played fixture in the English top flight. Everton lead by 74 wins to Aston Villa's 72, with 53 draws.