We’ll be back, vows defiant Moyes

DAVID MOYES remains undeterred in his mission to guide Everton onto Europe’s top table.

The Scot is determined to kick on from the defeat by Villarreal which ended his side’s hopes of competing in the lucrative group stages of the Champions League.

Instead Everton will participate in the UEFA Cup after losing 4-2 on aggregate to the Spanish club in the third qualifying round.

Moyes said: “We have to try to get in the Champions League again next year.

“First though we have to learn from those two games against Villarreal.

“I wanted so badly to get into the group stages. I knew what it would have meant to have done it at Everton.

“That is something, of course, I still want to do.”

Everton looked down and out when Juan Pablo Sorin extended Villarreal’s aggregate lead to 3-1 after his shot took a deflection off David Weir and wrong-footed Nigel Martyn.

But, back in Europe after a 10-year gap, they refused to give up the fight and drew level on the night thanks to a superb free-kick from Mikel Arteta.

Tim Cahill rattled the bar before Duncan Ferguson found the net, only for his towering header to be controversially ruled out by referee Pierluigi Collina.

With Everton pushing men forward, Villarreal hit back on the counter with former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan scoring the second goal with a clinical finish.

It was cruel blow, especially for 39-year-old Martyn, who made a string of impressive saves.

Martyn’s superb display will no doubt only increase speculation that he should be recalled to the England squad as back-up to former Leeds team-mate Paul Robinson, now of Tottenham.

Moyes said: “Nigel was outstanding - I don’t know if that is a big enough word to describe his display.

“Villarreal created a number of chances and we needed him.

“Obviously I hope he doesn’t have to perform like that too often.”