Everton star covered in blood after clashing with team-mate in Aston Villa draw

14 January 2024 , 17:12

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Vitalii Mykolenko finished the game with a bandage around his head (Image: PA)

Everton defender Vitalii Mykolenko was left bloodied during his team's Premier League match with Aston Villa, after a nasty collision with team-mate James Tarkowski.

Ukraine international Mykolenko received treatment after clashing heads with his fellow defender, with blood visible above his left eye. He was eventually bandaged up and able to complete the fixture, though seven minutes were added on at the end of the game following the delay.

The 24-year-old was part of an impressive rearguard effort as Everton became just the third side to stop Unai Emery's Villa from scoring in a Premier League match this season. The result left Villa in third and Everton 17th, though Sean Dyche's men are now a point clear of their relegation rivals Luton.

Both teams had goals disallowed in a match which provided entertainment despite the scoreline. Alex Moreno thought he had scored a first-half opener, only for an offside call to intervene, while Abdoulaye Doucoure's celebrations were cut short for similar reasons after he beat Emi Martinez late on.

The goalless draw was Villa boss Emery's first in 97 games in English football, dating back to his spell as Arsenal boss. Their current run of just one win in four games sees them end the weekend in fifth, behind Manchester City on goal difference after the reigning champions earned a dramatic late win at Newcastle on Saturday.

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Everton knew they would end the weekend outside the bottom three after rivals Burnley and Luton drew on Friday night. Every point matters, though, as they look to move towards safety after being hit by a points deduction earlier in the campaign.

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Mykolenko received treatment on the field (PA)

"We played okay," Tarkowski told Match of the Day after the draw. "I was at the centre of all the cuts and bruises today but i enjoyed it. I'm just glad it's gone our way [VAR decision]. Not many have gone our way this season. We had the best opportunity with Dominic's [Calvert-Lewin].

"We are still building and working towards where we want to be. The 10 point penalty is there. We have carried on playing and our job is to keep putting points on the board."

Everton are back in action on Wednesday, hosting Crystal Palace in their FA Cup third round replay. Striker Calvert-Lewin will be available for the clash after his red card in the initial game was overturned, and he will want to get back amongst the goals after putting a great chance too close to Villa keeper Martinez on Sunday.

Tom Victor