Unai Emery’s Aston Villa produced a superb performance at home, putting four past Sean Dyche’s Everton to bounce back from the opening weekend’s defeat at Newcastle United.
With this result, the Villans make it eight league wins on the bounce at Villa Park, continuing their impressive form from the back end of last term. Emery will look for his side to carry this performance into Wednesday’s crucial Conference League play-off first leg tie at Hibernian.
Words by: Liam Davies
EMILIANO MARTÍNEZ – 7
“A comfortable outing for Villa’s number one who had very little to do between the sticks. A save to deny substitute Arnaut Danjuma in first half stoppage time was the Argentine’s highlight, alongside a double stop in the second 45 to keep Maupay’s effort out. Dibu will be buzzing with his side’s performance at Villa Park for a first clean sheet of the season.”
MATTY CASH – 7
“It was an improved performance from Aston Villa’s Matty Cash at right back. The Polish defender looked assured on the ball and retained possession well, and had the occasional burst forward too, working well with man of the match Leon Bailey down the right. A solid afternoon for the number two who kept talisman Iwobi quiet all game.”
EZRI KONSA – 7
“Another man who was craving a resurgence and had a point to prove after last week’s disappointing display against Newcastle. It was always going to be interesting to see how the number four adapted to his new centre-back partner Pau Torres, but he did so, and together they shunned both Calvert-Lewin and Maupay at every opportunity. Could this be the start of a thriving defensive duo?”
PAU TORRES – 8
“As far as home debuts go, Pau Torres’ was excellent. The Spaniard, replacing the injured Tyrone Mings, showed just why Unai Emery wanted him so badly and proved why he has been so highly sought after across Europe over the years. Albeit the number 14 had very little threat to deal with but it was the former Villarreal man’s possessional play that was particularly pleasing – you can tell his ball playing abilities will be crucial for Villa this season.”
LUCAS DIGNE – 8
“Like his full-back counterpart, Digne was far better this week than on Tyneside last Saturday. The Frenchmen, who could leave the club before the end of the transfer window, was magnificent down the left and showed his quality time and time again to pick out the attacking options in the box with his crossing. The 30-year-old’s quick thinking from a throw-in put Leon Bailey in space for his goal early in the second-half. Defensively, Digne was excellent too – Garner and Dobbin barely had a sniff.”
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DOUGLAS LUIZ – 8
“We’ve finally found a man who can take a spot kick! Last season’s player of the season put in a trademark display at the heart of the side, controlling the tempo of the game alongside his partner in crime Boubacar Kamara. The number six was withdrawn around the hour mark to save his legs for Wednesday’s game at Easter Road. “
ON; 63’ min: Coutinho – 7: the Brazilian was excellent when he entered the field of play just past the hour mark, linking up well with Lucas Digne and substitute Jhon Durán down the Villa left. The number 23 provided energy and intent but was withdrawn following a hamstring injury in the final five minutes.
ON; 85’ min: Archer – 6: replacing an injured Coutinho in the closing stages, Archer, who is being linked with a move away, struggled and picked up a soft yellow during his short cameo at Villa Park.
BOUBACAR KAMARA – 7
“Yet another solid showing from Boubacar Kamara – how on earth did we get this guy on a free? The number 44 is an absolute Rolls Royce in midfield, making every tackle and pass look effortless. I haven’t got a lot to say about his performance because it was somewhat quiet, but a good quiet. The former Marseille man is a joy to watch and an almighty asset to the side. Oozes class. A fantastic player. “
JOHN MCGINN – 8
“A proper captain’s performance from our flying Scotsman today – McGinn was just amazing. Last weekend, the number seven spoke about his (and the team’s) willingness to right the wrongs of last week and he (and the team) did that out there. McGinn already equalled last season’s tally by converting Leon Bailey’s cut back after just 18 minutes and will look to do the same against his old side next week. Ginny was everywhere and if it wasn’t for Leon Bailey’s brilliance, he would have secured the man of the match accolade, I’m sure.”
LEON BAILEY – 9
“It was an encouraging display from Leon Bailey earlier this afternoon who arguably put in his best performance in a Villa shirt. The Jamaican set up captain John McGinn for the opening goal and netted himself early in the second half, poking the ball under Jordan Pickford with his right foot. The number 31 gave former teammate Ashley Young a headache all afternoon and would have proved many people wrong with that display.”
ON; 63’ min: Tielemans – 7: The Belgian slotted straight in alongside Kamara and replicated the excellence of Luiz with both his playmaking and ball-winning abilities. A fine home debut from the former Fox.
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MOUSSA DIABY – 7
“What a player we have on our hands and, whilst it’s early days, £35 million is looking like a bargain. Sharp, direct, purposeful – the three things you want from a forward. Diaby was super and unlucky not to score on his home debut after volleying onto the post with help from Jordan Pickford’s fingertips. The Frenchmen is only going to get better from here and is going to be pivotal up top for Villa this season.”
ON; 63’ min: Diego Carlos – 7: playing in the very fixture that ultimately ended his 2022/23 season, Carlos looked terrific when he came on. The Brazilian will look to break into the starting line-up, especially in Mings’ absence, and the number three did himself a favour with his 30 minute showing this afternoon. Physically, this guy is a joke. Carlos bullied Maupay; made him look like a kid. It’s not just his strength and size however, this guy can knock it about too. The former Sevilla man dropped to his knees on the full time whistle – a sign of both relief and appreciation for finishing the game after a difficult time away on the sidelines. Vamos, Diego!
OLLIE WATKINS – 6
“A somewhat underwhelming display from last season’s top goal scorer. I’m not saying he was bad, but he certainly wasn’t at his best today, Watkins. As always, the number eleven put in the hard graft, but let himself down during the decisive moments. The former Bee was a little sloppy in possession and missed a golden chance in the second half to open his tally for the season. Overall, not terrible, but not great. Onto the next one, Ollie.”
ON; 74’ min: Jhon Durán – 8: A first goal in claret and blue for young Jhon Durán! After missing pre season and the opening day fixture at Newcastle, Durán returned to the match day squad driven and hungry. The Colombian’s appetite would be satisfied in the 75th minute after Michael Keane’s mistake left the 19-year-old 1-on-1 with Pickford. Durán, despite a heavy touch, remained calm and slotted home past the England international before celebrating in the corner. It meant a lot to him.
Subs not used: Olsen (GK), Marschall (GK), Chambers, Traoré.
THE OPPOSITION
Everton: Pickford; Patterson, Keane, Tarkowski, Young; Garner, Onana, Gueye (Dobbin ‘45), Iwobi (Maupay 51’), Doucoure (Onyango 90+’); Calvert-Lewin (Danjuma 38’).
Subs: Virginia (GK), Mykolenko, Godfrey, Branthwaite, Cannon.
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