“On another day, it’s a game we win” - Michael Keane | OneFootball

Michael Keane highlighted the positives in Everton’s showing against Aston Villa despite the goalless draw at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.

The Blues were by far the better side and dominated Unai Emery’s side for most of the game. Everton, however, lacked a finishing touch and had only two shots on target from their 20 attempts.

The backline, led by Keane and James Tarkowski, was absolutely colossal and didn’t allow the opposition to test Jordan Pickford’s goal.

“I thought we were really good. I thought we got on the front foot and made it really tough for Aston Villa. I think on another day, it's a game we win,” Keane said after the game.

“I think we had the chances, and I think a lot of chances were really close to being good chances, but it just didn't quite happen for us today.

“But I think the performance was really good and one to be happy with.”

The 32-year-old was not only rock-solid in defence, but he also had a few chances to score from set pieces and crosses. While Keane is content with getting into the right areas, he was disappointed not to put his side ahead in the game.

“To be fair, the first one is not an easy header,” he recalled. “The second one is a great save from the keeper, and the third one, I feel like I was stretching for it.

“I was in the positions and had some great deliveries, so on another day I'm sure I could have scored one or two, but I think the more you keep getting in those positions, the more likely you are to score. I’m disappointed we couldn’t get the win.”

Everton boss David Moyes echoed sentiments similar to Keane's in his post-match words. Asked about his feelings after the goalless draw, Moyes said, “I thought we played really well today. I thought our intensity, the way we kept at it, we never stepped back nearly all game.

“I thought we had the best of it to be honest. I feel we were a bit unlucky not to come away with all three points. It was frustrating but we’re trying to improve. We lost 1-0 to Aston Villa the last time we played them in my first game and today we got a draw.

“If you were being honest, you’d probably say we warranted a bit more, but we didn’t get it. That happens in football at times and we made enough chances to probably score but we needed that clinical finish.

“I’m more pleased because I thought the players put in a brilliant performance. They played with a lot of confidence and a lot of intensity and I thought the crowd showed that as well, they saw the team fighting all the way until the last minute.”