Aston Villa missed the chance to move into second place behind Premier League leaders Arsenal after Everton earned a well-deserved win at Villa Park.
Villa, who had won their last 11 home games under Unai Emery, were undone by a calm finish from Thierno Barry. Everton nearly scored straight away when Merlin Rohl hit the post just 11 seconds into the match. They also had a goal ruled out when Jake O’Brien’s header was disallowed for offside after a VAR check.
Villa had chances too, with Evann Guessand hitting the crossbar after coming on for injured captain John McGinn. But Everton took the lead in the 59th minute when Barry scored after a mistake by Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez.
Villa pushed for an equaliser, but Jordan Pickford made a brilliant save to deny Morgan Rogers. The result leaves Villa level on 43 points with Manchester City, still seven behind Arsenal, but lower in the table due to a much worse goal difference.
