Villa wastes 2-goal lead to draw 3-3 at Everton

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Aston Villa threw away a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Everton on Saturday as Marouane Fellaini's second goal deep into stoppage time denied the visitors a much-needed Premier League win.

For a long time it appeared Paul Lambert's side would be celebrating its second surprise success on Merseyside, having beaten Liverpool in December.

But Fellaini scored his second to add to Victor Anichebe's first-half strike and cancel out Christian Benteke's double and a goal from Gabriel Agbonlahor at Goodison Park.

Everton again showed its remarkable powers of recovery — having taken 21 points from losing positions this season — but it was a huge blow to Villa which stayed in the relegation zone.

Everton trailed in the second minute after Benteke easily went past John Heitinga to slide a shot across Tim Howard from Charles N'Zogbia's pass.

Everton drew level in the 21st when powerhouse forward Anichebe held up Kevin Mirallas' pass and turned Ciaran Clark to fire a left-footed shot past Brad Guzan for his fifth goal in eight league starts.

Both sides looked weak defensively and Heitinga was again culpable in Villa's second.

A corner was only partially cleared and Ashley Westwood's right-wing cross saw Agbonlahor outjump Fellaini to head in at the far post in the 24th.

Villa went 3-1 ahead when Andreas Weimann exchanged passes with Matthew Lowton, allowing the right back to curl in an inviting cross to which Benteke beat Heitinga to nod in at the near post and take his Premier League tally into double figures.

Everton rallied with Fellaini cutting in from the left and again utilising Anichebe's strength to hold up the ball before taking the return pass to shoot past Guzan with the help of a minor deflection.

The hosts earned a point after Fellaini headed in the equalizer in the third of six added minutes.