Villa salvage a point

Aston Villa striker John Carew (2nd from L) shoots past Everton defender Phil Jagielka (R) to pull a goal back during their Premiership clash at Villa Park on Sunday.Photo: AFP

Martin O'Neill admits Aston Villa's hopes of clinching a lucrative place in the Champions League hang by a thread after his side's 3-3 draw against Everton.
Villa came from 3-1 down to salvage a point at Villa Park on Sunday but they still finished disappointed at a result which leaves them eight points adrift of fourth placed Arsenal with only six games to play.
The Gunners also have a superior goal difference and O'Neill concedes Villa's run of five games without a win has left them with little chance of catching Arsene Wenger's team.
"Are we out of the Champions League? I would not disagree. I think we had to win to keep in touch. It is a result that suits Arsenal," O'Neill said.
"Arsenal have some very tough games ahead, so have we, so we just have to go and win them and see what happens. I am not giving up but it will be very hard."
Everton would have had a slender chance of catching Arsenal with a win, but their late meltdown at Villa left boss David Moyes admitting they will probably have to settle for the soon to be revamped UEFA Cup.
While O'Neill was frustrated by Villa's failure to keep pace with Arsenal he had no cause to criticise their spirit.
First half goals from Marouane Fellaini and Tim Cahill put Everton 2-0 up before John Carew pulled one back for Villa.
When Steven Pienaar restored Everton's two-goal lead early in the second half it looked all over, but James Milner scored with a superb freekick to give Villa hope.
Gareth Barry equalised from the penalty spot in the 66th minute after Joleon Lescott's high challenge on Stilian Petrov.
O'Neill said: "I thought we were fantastic going forward, although defensively we were not so clever.
"But we showed tremendous character and determination when 2-0 and 3-1 down and the fans were fantastic towards us."
Moyes felt referee Howard Webb's penalty decision was harsh on Lescott.
"I thought it might have been an indirect freekick because all Joleon has done is put his foot up to try and get the ball," Moyes said.