Stiliyan Petrov and Gabriel Agbonlahor struck as Aston Villa twice came from behind at Everton to preserve their unbeaten Barclays Premier League start.

Everton hardly looked like a team in crisis after the sale of Mikel Arteta as they claimed a deserved half-time lead through the outstanding Leon Osman.

Petrov hit a superb equaliser as Villa finally showed some endeavour after the break but it needed Agbonlahor's late header to earn a draw at Goodison Park after a Leighton Baines penalty.

The result left Everton frustrated after a fluid attacking display but their wholehearted performance at least put their off-field problems in the shade.

The game was preceded by a peaceful protest outside the stadium by several hundred supporters frustrated at a lack of investment under chairman Bill Kenwright.

Disquiet has been building for some time but has noticeably intensified since star player Arteta was sold to Arsenal last week.

Yet a greater gauge of feeling towards lifelong fan Kenwright was perhaps evident when he appeared on the big screen midway through the first half.

His appearance was initially met by boos from the crowd but they were quickly drowned out by a huge round of applause, suggesting the protesters remain a minority.

Both sides had talked up new signings but only one of them in Villa's Alan Hutton started the game.

Jermaine Jenas, who arrived with Hutton from Tottenham, was ruled out by a thigh injury while Everton left their loanees Royston Drenthe and Denis Stracqualursi on the bench.

With Ayegbeni Yakubu and Jermaine Beckford having also left the club recently and Louis Saha and Victor Anichebe injured, that meant Everton were starting without a recognised striker.

Yet it barely showed as Osman and Tim Cahill filled the forward roles superbly.

The Toffees attacked from the onset and appealed fruitlessly for a penalty inside the first minute when Osman went down under a Richard Dunne challenge.

Villa striker Darren Bent then headed off his own line as Phil Jagielka got forward to connect with a Baines corner from the right.