Relieved Toffees avoid neighbours

EVERTON avoided city neighbours Liverpool in the draw for the final qualifying round of the Champions League only to land equally-daunting opposition in Villarreal, one of Spain’s most impressive sides last season.

There were audible sighs of relief in UEFA's headquarters when the Merseyside teams were kept apart, but Everton face the toughest of challenges to make it into the group stage.

Liverpool, with a 3-1 advantage over Kaunas in the second qualifying round, look to have an easier prospect against Bulgarian's CSKA Sofia, who are 2-0 up against Tirana, while Manchester United will be equally happy with a likely match against Debreceni of Hungary, who are 3-0 up against Hajduk Split.