First thing's first: Did debutant Darron Gibson even touch the ball today? In truth, he did- once or twice- but to little effect. To give him his due, he was away from home, in a team he joined two days ago, and he hasn't played properly all season. And he was unfairly penalised for a very good tackle on Stephen Ireland. But he looked like a passenger in both in defence and attack, leaving Fellaini shackled somewhere near the Everton end of the centre circle.
Everton, away at Villa today, pulled together some of their best attacking play for months. Royston Drenthe and Landon Donovan down either flank posed a threat throughout the first half, which the blues had the better of. The pace of passing was much improved, mostly because of Donovan- just a shame he's only here for a couple of months.
But when Villa came out for the second with renewed desire, the Jagielka- and Distin-less defence was hopelessly disorganised. Hence Darren Bent putting them ahead in the 56th, with only right-back Phil Neville anywhere near him in the goalmouth. With both Jags and Distin out for around a month, someone will have to show some leadership at the back. It shouldn't be beyond World Cup finalist Johnny Heitinga or Phil "experience-is-my-only-quality" Neville.
Most interesting though was the way in which Everton equalised. Victor Anichebe with his second from two substitute appearances this calendar year, scoring the kind of goal that we all thought was beyond the current Everton team: A beautifully-timed run; an incisive pass; and a goal-scorer's finish. That's the kind of goal which proper footballing sides like Spurs and Arsenal score. Not bad for a team whose over-reliance on set-pieces and Leighton Baines penalties this season has become and embarrassment.
And on that point, that puts Anichebe ahead of regular-starter Loius Saha on goals this season. His one-goal haul in 13 looks increasigly suspect when Everton are starting with a bench of Gueye, Anichebe, Stracqualursi, McFadden, Vellios (3 goals this season) and Bilyaletdinov. Few would argue that that's a bench to scare the league with, but the wealth of untested options should make fans think twice about the obviously flawed "lone Saha" strategy.
So it was a game which provided no answer to the question of how this season will end up. God knows it's been poor so far but Everton under Moyes are well-known for seasons of two halves. Will it be another strangely high finish off the back of a strong final furlong? Today's match had moments that might make you think so, but don't forget we're closer to the relagation zone than we are to sixth place.
Ask me again in two matches time. Blackburn then Fulham at home is a good audition for any mid-table team hoping to cast adrift the relegation maybes. Then City (also at home, three in a row!), who don't do well at Goodison....