Everton midfielder Tim Cahill said his cash-strapped club can still be a force in the Premier League as long as supporters don’t lose faith.

Several hundred Everton fans staged a peaceful protest before Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Aston Villa in a bid to show their frustration at the lack of investment under chairman Bill Kenwright.

Kenwright recently admitted that Everton are unable to sign players because the club’s bank is no longer willing to fund their transfer activities. Everton fans were angered again on transfer deadline day when midfielder Mikel Arteta was sold to Arsenal for £10 million.

Organisers carried a cake to Goodison Park to mark the second anniversary of the last significant transfer fees the club paid.

Yet lifelong Everton fan Kenwright, who has long said he will sell the club if a suitable buyer emerges, remains popular with many other supporters and was applauded during the game when he appeared on the big screen.

Cahill, 31, took heart from that positive atmosphere and he is convinced the club will progress if everyone is fighting for the same cause.

“I think for us as players we want to try to show the fans that this isn’t a club in stagnation,” he said.

“We need them to back us to the hilt. The club are trying to balance the books and make sure we are here for years to come.

“As an Evertonian, whether it is good times or bad times, you have got to roll with it. The protest when you look at it now was probably something that shouldn’t have happened.

“But I know deep down they appreciate the chairman.”