Romano Prodi, head of the European Commission, was shown muscling his way to a press conference podium, over the objections of Mr Fogh Rasmussen, who did not want to share the limelight.

ECONOMIST: Statesmen on screen

The Merseysiders were briefly forced on the back foot as Villa settled into a pattern of counter-attacking football, with John Carew muscling his way into the box to force Howard into a double save from Ashley Young after a brilliant block from Phil Jagielka.

BBC: Aston Villa 1-0 Everton