The winter of our discontent had been gripping Everton as they drove the 2 hour trip down the M6 to the country’s second city to face an in-form Aston Villa. The Villains had six wins, one draw and one loss to Arsenal since the beginning of December so the Blues were up against it before the match even started.
Team News
After the disappointing loss to Sunderland, David Moyes made two changes with Jack Grealish and Thierno Barry returning to Everton’s starting line-up with Tyler Dibling and Beto dropped to the bench.
For Villa, Ollie Watkins started up front after Donyell Malen’s move to Roma. Emi Martinez was back in goal after Marco Bizot played in the FA Cup win at Spurs. Youri Tielemans also started after Boubacar Kamara was ruled out after picking up an injury.
Match Report
Tony Harrington was the man in the middle for this fixture which is the most played in the English top flight. A fast start with Pickford launching a ball to Barry who controlled it and laid it off to Rohl who had his shot come back off the post into the hands of a grateful Emi Martinez. It would have been the fastest goal this season on 12 seconds.
The rain was falling steadily as Villa started getting on the ball and when Buendia got into the open down the wing, his pass to Rogers ended up well over the bar. Villa were starting to boss the play as Everton struggled to get control of the ball. Ollie Watkins was getting the ball in good places but was not able to penetrate the back line.
John McGinn felt something in his knee and was replaced by Guessand. Patterson got the ball down the wing and crossed to the middle but Martinez took it off Barry’s head. Everton were pressing and Barry forced a corner which was taken by McNeil and was delivered to the back post where Grealish volleyed the ball goalward by the shot was blocked by Bogarde.
McNeil was given a yellow card for pulling back Buendia. Some good high pressing by Everton was causing difficulties for Villa. A brilliant pass from Tielemans to Guessand needed a save from Pickford before Rohl streamed forward and a shot by Mykolenko forced a good save by Martinez. The corner was delivered by Garner and it was in the back of the net from the head of O’Brien. The offside flag went up and when it was checked it was argued that Armstrong, who attempted to head the ball, was coming back from an offside position.
Moments later, Pickford was forced to make another important save when Rogers blasted the ball just inside the post. Villa almost broke the deadlock when Tielemans lobbed a ball to Guessand who headed the ball over a scrambling Pickford but the keeper was saved by the bar.
Three minutes of additional time was required but neither team could break the deadlock. As the teams headed in, David Moyes would have been the most disappointed with his team playing very well but having nothing for them to show for it.
The second half started with no changes and it took less than a minute for Garner to be given a yellow for a professional foul on Buendia. Villa were on the front foot and Tielemans headed the ball narrowly wide. Everton were working hard at the back and when Garner had the ball in a good position, his shot went well over the bar.
When Grealish was taken down, Bogarde was given a yellow card and then incredibly, when Rogers drove for goal, Garner pushed him down and did not receive a second yellow. Seconds later, McNeil picked up a loose touch from Torres and his shot was palmed away by Martinez but Barry was there to chip the ball over the keeper into the far corner.
The Evertonians were in full voice as Villa tried to make a quick response but the defense was holding firm. Some good pressure from Barry on Torres led to a long throw by Mykolenko but Barry’s header was easily handled. Villa then caused some chaos for the Everton backline and again, Rogers forgot his shooting boots.
Villa were pushing and a potential handball by Garner was cleared. Pickford then made the save of the match as Rogers got a shot off that was heading to the top corner. Digne and Hemmings were brought on for Bogarde and Maatson.
Hemmings drove forward but his shot was blocked and then a nice turn from Buendia led to a shot that was blocked by Tarkowski. Digne was then on the move and his overhead kick was easily handled by Pickford. After a 10 minute warmup, Beto was brought on for Barry who received a very warm show of appreciation from the travelling Evertonians.
Villa’s fans were getting restless as the final five minutes arrived. Evertonians were on pins and needles. When Beto stretched his legs driving forward, he could not stop the ball from going out of bounds. Everton did a great job to hold onto the ball and use up the valuable seconds.
Four minutes of additional time was announced as Grealish went down under another challenge to slow the game down. Everton were putting on a masterclass on how to run down a clock. Villa poured forward with less than a minute to play. When Tielemans delivered a scything cross, it was met by Buendia but the header went well wide of the diving Pickford.
That was the last action as the referee’s whistle was blown and “Spirit of the Blues” rang out from the Evertonians. A great win against an in form team.
Everton’s Man of the Match
James Garner: He had another commanding game against a very good Villa side. His willingness to work tirelessly and break up the play was critical from the first to the last minute. He had 29 defensive contributions, 9 passes into the final third, 5 of 7 accurate long balls, 4 interceptions and 14 recoveries. It was an all round performance that should be rewarded with more time on the pitch no matter who returns.
Instant Reaction
The quick start for Everton and the unfortunate shot that hit the post was another example of when Everton have a gilt edged chance early in the game but cannot capitalize. Thankfully, today, they continued to stick to their game plan and the goal from Barry was enough to record the three points which moved Everton up to 10th on 32 points. The Toffees are now 3 points off 5th place.
Everton were again denied a goal because of offside. The decision from VAR was that Armstrong had interfered with a Villa defender so they could not play the ball. The replay made it clear that no Villa player was going to get to the cross. On every corner kick for every team, players are wrapping their arms around each other and every time, the players are making it difficult to make a play to the ball. Certainly more that Armstrong’s attempt to head the ball. As always, consistency please.
Everton’s away form continues to impress. In fact, they have recorded 10 wins in the past 12 months which is the most by any team in the Premier League. The team has banished some serious hoodoos this season with away wins at Bournemouth and at Manchester United. Today, Everton recorded their first win at Villa Park in 10 years. If we could sort out our home form which has been poor, with only 4 wins this season, our place in the table would be even better.
