Season › 2013-14 › News Osman inspires Everton to victory over Villa , 26 October, 0comments | Jump to most recent Aston Villa 0 - 2 Everton Lukaku celebrates the opening goal that turned the game in Everton' favour [© Everton FC] A decisive second-half substitution by Roberto Martinez turned an absorbing encounter at Villa Park in Everton's favour as Leon Osman provided the assist that helped break the deadlock and then guided home the killer second goal to cap a fine win. Plenty of column inches had been devoted before the match to the international dimension to this meeting of two historic adversaries, with Tim Howard facing his rival for the United States goalkeeper's jersey in the form of Brad Guzan and Romelu Lukaku going up against his Belgian teammate, Christian Benteke. And All four players would play important roles, with the two goalkeepers, in particular, distinguishing themselves with fine saves in the first half hour. Howard came to Seamus Coleman's rescue after the Irishman had unfortunately clipped Benteke's heels in the box leaving referee Anthony Taylor with little option but to point to the spot. Benteke placed his spot kick well but the American threw up a hand to turn it around his right-hand post. A stunning save that kept matters goalless, as did a reflex stop from Guzan at the other end to deny Lukaku's header off a Coleman cross after 25 minutes. It took two more crucial interventions from Howard in one-on-one situations to take Everton into the break level and the Blues' were under concerted pressure from Villa in the second half when they broke the deadlock with 22 minutes to go. Osman had come on for Ross Barkley on the hour mark and he collected Leighton Baines' first-time pass from the touchline, moved it on to Lukaku in the area and the big striker swept the ball past Guzan to make it 1-0. Then, as the game ticked into the final 10 minutes with Everton looking more and more confident going forward, Baines knocked Kevin Mirallas' short corner forward to Gareth Barry in acres of space in the area and he had time to lay it back to Osman who despatched a perfectly-placed shot inside the post from 18 yards out. A precious away win that temporarily lifts the Blues into third place and sets them up nicely for the stern test that awaits next Sunday in the form of Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park. Quotes or other material sourced from ToffeeWeb Match Reports Match summary and discussion Full match report Ken Buckley: From My Seat [link fixed] About these ads © ToffeeWeb