Aston Villa's Survival Bid Stung By Late Theo Walcott Header

Aston Villa's hopes of survival were dealt a devastating blow as they conceded a late equaliser to Everton at Goodison Park.

Defender Ezri Konsa thought he had won it for Dean Smith's side in the 72nd-minute, but substitute Theo Walcott ensured The Toffees' shared the spoils with a headed goal from a tight angle with just three minutes of normal time remaining.

Villa had shown little ambition to win the game despite their precarious position, but opened the scoring from a fantastic Conor Hourihane free-kick, with Konsa stretching to score just his third goal in club football with the first shot on target of the evening.

Anwar El-Ghazi should have put the game to bed just minutes later from a Jack Grealish cross but he somehow contrived to hook an effort wide from just a matter of yards.

It was a huge miss that will haunt Villa, as Carlo Ancelotti's side rescued a point in the 87th-minute through Walcott, with the goalscorer Konsa unable to prevent his header going in despite being positioned on the line.

The draw leaves Villa three points behind 17th-placed Watford, who play their game in hand against fellow relegation-threatened West Ham in a mouth-watering six-pointer on Friday evening. Everton remain 11th with little to play for but pride after a run of poor form.