Tim Sherwood urges other Villains to follow Delph’s contract pledge

ASTON VILLA 3 EVERTON 2: SHAY Given’s return to the Aston Villa goal for a first Premier League appearance since August 2012 might have been the major talking point ahead of kick-off here, yet by the conclusion of this match the source of discussion came, once again, at the opposite end of the field.

There were no prizes for guessing the architect of Everton’s downfall as Christian Benteke’s ninth and tenth goals in his last eight top-flight appearances helped Villa secure a win which lifted them up to 14th.

It was a vital three points — such are the fine margins in this basement battle, defeat would have seen Tim Sherwood’s men plummet into the bottom three.