Emi Buendia’s first-half header put a dampener on Everton’s first game under Duncan Ferguson, although Aston Villa’s 1-0 win was marred when two of their players were hit by a bottle thrown from the crowd.
Buendia met former Everton defender Lucas Digne’s corner with a late run to the near post, from which his glancing header looped over a helpless Jordan Pickford into the far corner for the only goal of a combative game with passions running high – and nine yellow cards shown – at Goodison Park.
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Those passions spilled over as the Villa players celebrated the goal on the stroke of half-time, with Digne and Matty Cash both knocked to the floor by a full bottle thrown from the home support.
Everton had shown they were up for the battle but failed to register a shot of any kind in the opening period, before improving again after half-time. Ben Godfrey’s header from a corner was cleared off the line, while Yerry Mina and Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed excellent chances to level, as the Toffees did everything but score in a second period where they racked up 15 shots.
Despite a bright performance, it was a frustratingly familiar outcome for the hosts who have now lost nine of their last 12 league games and are five points above the relegation zone. Aston Villa’s backs-to-the-wall second-half showing sees them move, for a few hours at least, into the top half of the Premier League table.
More to follow…
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What’s next?
Everton host Brentford in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday February 5 at 3pm, while Aston Villa host Leeds in the Premier League on Wednesday February 9 at 8pm.
