The 29-year-old former Dutch international had been out in the cold at Everton for almost 20 months due to a string of injuries and personal problems.

But because of Everton's severe injury troubles, van der Meyde found himself on the bench for the 3-2 defeat at Goodison Park.

And he got onto the pitch for a cameo performance in those frantic final minutes that saw Everton believe they had saved a point before Ashley Young's 94th-minute winner.

Now, with Everton's only available senior striker, Victor Anichebe, troubled by back and hamstring problems, there is every chance van der Meyde could retain his place in the squad at Manchester City on Saturday.

The winger produced a battling few minutes of action, and said: "I wanted to prove something to (manager) David Moyes and it was good for myself also.

"I had been waiting for this moment a long time. I have been unlucky with injuries but hopefully now I am back in the team.

"I'm happy the fans trust in me and want to give me a chance. I hope I can give them something back.

"We have good players at Everton and if everyone is fit it is difficult to get in. So this is a good chance for me.

"I do not know if I will be involved against City, it is up to the gaffer. He's the boss and he makes the choices but I hope I am involved."

He added: "After such a long time it was nice to have the feeling of being part of the team again. I was so happy.

"They expect a lot here, the supporters. And they should do because we've got a good team and we should play well. We did not play badly but if you give it away in the last 10 seconds it is not good.

"In the first half especially we were the better team and we did not deserve to lose."

Skipper Phil Neville claimed the late defeat felt as bad as the night Everton were knocked out of Europe last season by Fiorentina in the UEFA Cup after an amazing home fightback following defeat in the first leg.

Neville said: "It is probably one of the most disappointing defeats I have suffered since I have been at this club, we were all absolutely devastated.

"If we had come off at the end with a 2-2 draw, it would have felt like a victory. I think we deserved it with the effort and commitment we put into the game.

"It ranks along with losing to Fiorentina. Beating Villa would have been a big scalp for us. To get back into the game the way we did showed great character.

"It is a bitter pill to swallow. We had enough defenders on the pitch and we should have shut up shop."