Everton 1-0 Aston Villa: Match Report & Instant Reaction | New Manager, Same Issues
Yesterday at 05:02 PM
The return of David Moyes could not prevent Ollie Watkins from getting the points for Villa
Who would have thought that the past six days would have been so tumultuous; the sacking of Dyche, the Leighton Baines led victory over Peterborough and the return of David Moyes.
The return of David Moyes coincided with Everton being winless in their last 11 Premier League games against today's opponent, Aston Villa, having won six of the previous eight meetings.
Earlier in the season, Everton took a 2-0 lead at Villa Park but a second successive collapse ended in a 3-2 loss. Villa are unbeaten in their past five Premier League visits to Goodison Park.
Would Everton see an immediate bounce from the arrival of the ginger grey Scot? The expectant Evertonians welcomed back their hero and hoped for brighter days.
Team News
For his first team selection, David Moyes made six changes to the FA Cup midweek FA Cup lineup. Jordan Pickford returned in goal, with Ashley Young, James Tarkowski, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Jack Harrison coming back into the side. There was also a start for Dominic Calvert-Lewin up front.
Unai Emery made four changes from the starting XI which beat West Ham in the FA Cup last Friday. In came Emi Martinez, Lucas Digne, Jacob Ramsey and Amadou Onana, while Jhon Duran returned to the bench after serving a three-match suspension.
Match Report
Goodison Park was rocking as Z Cars blared over the PA system. David Moyes waited patiently and then came out of the tunnel to rapturous applause. Referee Sam Barrett took no time to get things underway.
It was Amadou Onana had the first pop at goal which led to a corner. Tielemans took the corner and it was a great save by Pickford from a quick Rogers shot that prevented the first goal. Aston Villa were getting on the ball and Everton were struggling to keep it.
A quick break by Watkins who laid off the ball to Tielemans required a good block by Tarkowski before Gueye broke forward only to be cut down by Onana. The referee was in his pocket quickly and produced the yellow card.
A good breakout from Ndiaye was scuppered by a poorly timed Calvert Lewin run who was offside. Everton started to get a hold of the ball and moved it around nicely. A good run down the wing from Doucoure forced a corner which was taken by young. The corner was headed away by Mings which was met by Gueye who had his effort deflected wide of the goal.
An awful backpass from Young was intercepted but Watkins could not get the ball on target past the onrushing Pickford. It was a massive chance which went begging! Villa were dominating possession which stood at 64% at the 20 minute mark. Another corner for Villa was delivered by Youri Tielemans but Pickford was strong.
Everton's first chance came down the left side from Mykolenko who set Calvert Lewin on his way but the centre forward could not keep his shot on target as Martinez watched it slide wide of his post. The Goodison crowd responded.
Everton were trying to assert themselves but Villa were giving nothing. The pressure on Everton was instantaneous when they got hold of the ball. A free kick was given to Villa when Young took down Watkins. Digne and Tielemans lined it up and it was the former Evertonian who blasted the ball into the wall. Villa wanted a penalty but it was waved away.
Everton's high press was present when Villa had the ball and it was bearing fruit. Orel Mangala was unfortunate to give a foul on Onana in their box. Everton again broke down the left and Mykolenko delivered the ball onto the penaly spot which was met by Doucoure. His effort should have been better but he forced a save from Martinez.
Villa broke forward and a blistering shot from was on net but the unsighted Pickford got down well to stop it. Everton pushed forward again and some nice pressing led to a Calvert Lewin chance but Kamara was on the line to clear it away. Villa then had the ball in the Everton third and the ball fell to Ramsey but he could not get his shot on net. The half ended with neither team able to break the deadlock.
No changes for either team as the match resumed with Villa getting on the front foot early. An early free kick from Lucas Digne was neatly cleared by Mykolenko before Konsa pounced on it with his head. Jacob Ramsey then tried to improvise with a quick turn in his box but his shot went over the bar.
Onana then attempted to slip the ball in for Ramsey but it was just out of his reach. Moments later there was some good pressure from Everton but Villa broke the press with a poor interception from Branthwaite. The ball rolled to Rogers and the pass into Watkins was excellent, with the England international sliding it by Pickford.
Moments later Everton were on the front foot and a lunging tackle from Gueye was late and he was given a yellow card. Moments later, Amadou Onana went in on Mangala and the Evertonians were looking for the second yellow but it was not shown. The crowd was pushing for more and Mings again was there to clear the ball away.
Moyes had seen enough in the 58th minute as Lindstrom was brought on for Harrison. Everton forced another corner and when Calvert Lewin and Lindstrom went up both of them ended up on the floor. VAR looked at it and nothing was given.
The Goodison crowd was getting edgy and the calls from the ref in favour of Villa was not helping. Villa was also happy to let Everton have the ball without the Blues making any real headway in the Villa half of the pitch. Ndiaye forced a corner which was delivered by Young and the scramble in front of the goal could not get a shot on goal for the Blues.
The final fifteen minutes arrived as Everton tried to force the play but their final pass was lacking. Jacob Ramsey was withdrawn with Buendia coming on in his place. Everton firnally had the ball around the box but the final pass was lacking. Moyes also made changes with Beto and O'Brien coming on for Doucoure and Young which changed the setup to three at the back.
Everton pushed forward but Villa repelled each attempt. Four minutes of additional time was announced as the Villa fans made their voices heard. Orel Mangala was able to get a shot away but Kamara blocked it and Martinez easily saved the effort. Seconds later, Lindstrom took a long ball down well and his pass into Calvert Lewin was good but his snapshot went well over the bar.
Everton Man of the Match: In a match that was an opportunity for Everton players to stand up and be counted, only one player did and that was Vitalii Mykolenko. He was certainly more on the front foot today and provided crosses into the middle. Harrison, Doucoure and Calvert Lewin showed little to build confidence in the new manager. Ndiaye can only create things if he has support around him and today he did not.
Instant Reaction
The Moyes bounce was anticipated as it is always the case with a new manager. Today, that expectation was even more pronounced because of the history that he has with the club. All of that did not change the fact that Everton have struggled to create chances this season, especially since Dwight McNeil has been out of the team for the past 8 games. We currently do not have a player to change a game and Ndiaye, who has shown some ability, cannot do it by himself. As for finishing, what I would give for a player like Ollie Watkins who gets a chance and takes it.
The tactical play was no different from my seat. A lack of attacking impetus, intermittent pressing and a complete lack of finishing was nothing new but I would have hoped that we would have been more progressive. Villa are a quality side and their defenders lined up well all day and gave our forwards no chance. Moyes said he didn't want a relegation fight but he has got one and today he didn't have David Unsworth to score the vital goal.
When will Ndiaye be given the chance to play through the middle? When will Calvert Lewin figure out how to stay onside? Will Doucoure be shown the door along with Harrison in this window? All questions that David Moyes needs to get answered right quick.
For our part, we have to continue to support the team and back them home and away. Moyes clearly wanted to see for himself what the data from this season shows. Now he is tasked with making the changes needed over the days and weeks ahead.
