Darren Bent scored his seventh goal of the season as Aston Villa ended their four-match losing streak at home with a 1-1 draw against Everton.

After defeats to Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Swansea in their last four games at Villa Park the claret and blues were desperately in need of their first three points on home soil since the 3-2 win over Norwich on November 5.

Villa came to life after half-time and took the lead nine minutes after the break when Bent was able to tap in from close range after good work by Stephen Ireland.

But Everton levelled in the 69th minute to earn a share of the points when the lively Victor Anichebe latched on to Landon Donovan’s clever pass to slot home.

Villa boss Alex McLeish made two changes from the side which eased past Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup as Shay Given returned to the side after just over a month out with a hamstring injury in favour of Brad Guzan.

Gabby Agbonlahor was also recalled in place of the injured Emile Heskey (achilles) and there was a place on the bench for ex-Wolves striker Robbie Keane following his loan move from LA Galaxy.

Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov had the best of the early chances when he curled a free-kick over the Everton wall but American goalkeeper Tim Howard was alert enough to beat the ball away.

Given made a fine diving save in the 17th minute when Leighton Baines curled a beautiful ball into the penalty area from a free-kick which picked out the head of Louis Saha.

The French striker’s glancing header at the near post appeared to be goal bound but Given’s reactions were sharp despite having not featured since the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United on December 3.

Everton’s spell of pressure continued and they felt hard done by moments later when Donovan’s deep cross was aimed at Saha who was unable to get a touch as he appeared to be impeded by Alan Hutton.

Given had to be on his toes shortly afterwards when a dangerous ball into the box from Royston Drenthe was inadvertently headed at goal by Stephen Warnock.

Agbonlahor went close just before half-time when he controlled a difficult spinning ball from an Everton clearance and surged towards goal but saw his low sidefoot effort tipped past the post by Howard.

Baines continued to cause problems with his excellent delivery from set-piece situations and Given saved with his chest just after the interval when Marouane Fellaini.

But a concerted spell of Villa pressure yielded a goal in the 56th minute when Marc Albrighton’s cross from the right was flicked on by Ireland who picked up the ball again after Everton failed to clear.

The midfielder calmly slid the ball across goal and through a crowded six-yard box for arch poacher Bent who was able to bundle past Howard.

Villa went in search of a second goal and Bent went close with a header but they were punished for their failure to track back in the 69th minute as Everton scored on the break.

Donovan was released down the left flank and he cut inside to thread a perfectly-weighted pass for substitute Anichebe to run on to and the Everton striker applied a cool finish as he got the decisive touch ahead of Given in a one-on-one situation.

McLeish introduced Keane with nine minutes remaining but despite some nice touches the Ireland striker was unable to make the difference as both sides claimed a point.

By Tim Abraham