Everton remain fifth after Villa draw

LIVERPOOL, England -- Everton and Aston Villa shared a pulsating 2-2 draw as the race to reach the UEFA Cup looks set to go to the wire after a dramatic Goodison Park showdown between the fifth and sixth-placed clubs in the Premier League.

The home side led twice, with Phil Neville's deflected effort and Joseph Yobo's close-range finish. But Villa refused to give up the chase, and Gabriel Agbonlahor and John Carew grabbed vital equalizers in a remarkable late spell of three goals in six minutes.

The gap is still three points, although Aston Villa have a better goal difference. But crucially Villa appear to have the slightly easier run-in with Wigan at home and West Ham away. Everton must still travel to Arsenal with Newcastle the visitors on the final day of the season.

Aston Villa, with 15 goals in their last three matches, enjoyed the better start. Carew's clever chip almost put Ashley Young clear in the box, before Young then crashed a free-kick against the bar after Phil Jagielka's foul on Agbonlahor.

For Everton, Andrew Johnson's right-sided run created space, but his low cross was behind both Steven Pienaar and Yakubu as they raced into the box.

Everton emerged after the break with far more purpose and they went ahead in the 56th minute. Yakubu's first touch sent him powering away from defender Zat Knight on the left, but his cross was wayward until the ball fell into Neville's path 20 meters out out on the opposite wing.

The former Manchester United player connected well and his shot flicked off Martin Laursen and past England goalkeeper Scott Carson.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill could see his side's European hopes slipping away and he made a couple of attacking substitutions, which paid dividends with an 80th minute equalizer.

Gareth Barry swung a corner into the box and Agbonlahor was left free six meters out to side-foot past goalkeeper Tim Howard's flaying hands.

Everton responded superbly and they appeared to net the winner when Lee Carsley's clipped cross to the far post was met by Yobo, who slammed the ball into the roof of the net.

However, two minutes later Villa were level again, Barry's cross being headed in by Carew, under intense pressure from Joleon Lescott.

In the day's other encounter, Blackburn claimed a 1-0 win at Portsmouth, courtesy of Roque Santa Cruz's 21st goal of the season, to virtually end the FA Cup finalists' hopes of securing fifth position.

Blackburn's Paraguayan striker claimed his sixth goal in the seven games in the 73rd minute, after a delightful 1-2 with fellow-striker Jason Roberts. E-mail to a friend