Aston Villa 4-0 Everton: John McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Leon Bailey and Jhon Duran all strike as the hosts run riot against the Toffees
It wasn’t until half time in the second game of the season that the widespread boos started. After several voices of discontent following an undeserved loss at Goodison Park last week, Everton fans had seen enough to indicate that this was going to be another long campaign.
Take nothing away from a brilliant Aston Villa performance, but Unai Emery’s team was made to look much better by a spineless Everton side. Far too often they were leisurely split up and when they made rare forays forward, Sean Dyche’s men seemed bereft of ideas.
And while there was a loud chorus of boos at the end of the first half, some may have been relieved to find their team trailing only 2-0. John McGinn and Douglas Luiz scored – from the penalty spot – the goals, but it should have been more.
Then six minutes into half time came the moment that summed up Everton’s shoddy defence. Former Toffees fullback Lucas Digne took a throw-in that eluded everyone except Michael Keane, who tapped the ball into Leon Bailey’s path to make it 3-0. Defending was disastrous.
“That’s why you’re going down,” joked Villa fans in Holte End. After two seasons of flirting with relegation but narrowly escaping – they’ve finished 16th and 17th – Everton have shown little improvement so far this season.
Moussa Diaby (left) and Leon Bailey (right) were the standouts as Aston Villa won 4-0
Douglas Luiz scored from the spot to score Vila’s second goal of the game, in the first half
Captain John McGinn kicked off the win with a well-taken goal in the first half
The result means the Toffees are without a point from their first two league matches
Unai Emery’s side bounced back from their humiliating 5-1 defeat to Newcastle last week
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Dyche was not helped by a number of mid-match injuries. Dominic Calvert-Lewin can’t buy happiness and after following a new, detailed fitness plan over the summer to straighten out his torrid injury record, the striker lasted just 37 minutes during which he suffered a facial injury.
The Englishman, who had started just 30 of 76 Premier League games over the past two seasons, was clattered after 10 minutes by Emiliano Martinez – a justified and accidental collision – and never recovered, with his face visibly swollen as he left the pitch left with an ice pack on his cheek.
Alex Iwobi also left the field not long into the second half and Jordan Pickford also showed signs of discomfort. New striker Youssef Chermiti didn’t even make the squad as Dyche is hesitant to throw in the £15 million youngster, while fellow addition Jack Harrison is injured.
Jarrad Branthwaite remained on the substitutes bench and the defender must be wondering what to do to get a chance in this slack back line. After a solid season on loan last season at PSV Eindhoven, he couldn’t be any worse than this bunch of defenders, could he?
With only 18 minutes left on the clock, Villa’s class performed, with new boy Moussa Diaby at the center of it all and all the good they did. Taking a dangerous position, he played into Leon Bailey hopping past Ashley Young and settling for John McGinn for an easy finish.
The Scot was asked in a video last week if it made sense to put him in fantasy football teams this season. “Yes,” he replied. “If you want to finish mid-bottom, get John McGinn there – one goal last season.” With 36 games to go, he has now leveled that score.
He was excellent and buzzed around the field – and at one point even doubled as a physio to bring a medical kit. Diaby looks like one of the summer’s signings in the league, while Bailey played one of his best games in a Villa shirt. As for the defense, they were hardly in trouble.
Five minutes after going through, Villa was awarded a penalty after Pickford made his best Superman impression by flying through the air with his fist outstretched and nearly knocking out Ollie Watkins. But not such superhero skills in the penalty kick, as Douglas Luiz confidently sent.
Pickford then helped keep the scores low though, as the majestic Diaby almost scored a phenomenal volley off Digne’s cross, but the England keeper tapped it on the post. On the other hand, Martinez made his first save of the half after 45 minutes to deny Arnaut Danjuma.
Villa was excited about the attack – mainly due to the work of Diaby and Bailey
Everton fought hard but in the end were far from good enough to earn a point
Everton were undone within six minutes of the second period as Keane’s outstretched leg caught Bailey’s heels for an easy finish. It’s hard to single out individuals in an all-around terrible performance, but this was a disturbingly bad afternoon for Keane.
Ashley Young received a warm reception from the Holte End following his move from Villa to Everton this summer – the 38-year-old is seemingly idolized at each of his former clubs, which says a lot about him. But he defaulted for the fourth goal.
Like Bailey’s goal, Everton were undone by one throw-in – but this time from their own man as Young threw the ball to James Tarkowski, only for substitute Jhon Duran to poach possession and slide confidently past Pickford for 4-0.
Anyone who watched Villa’s 5-1 thrashing at St James’ Park last week will have noticed that the score was unfair – and this was probably the same thing. Villa won by four goals, but it could have been more. A European tour awaits Villa… a new relegation battle for Everton.