Aston Villa 2-0 Everton
The last time Aston Villa entertained Everton, home supporters staged a walkout in protest against then-owner Randy Lerner.
Discontent reigned, apathetic fans’ feelings summed up by a banner in the stands at Old Trafford when relegation was confirmed a month later.
It read: from Rotterdam (a reference to their European Cup success in 1982) to Rotherham.
Fast-forward three years and, despite a pointless start on their Premier League return, the mood could not be more different under Dean Smith.
In the words of Guardian reporter Ben Fisher, their early performances have been encouraging.
This Premier League display and result finally gave them something to cheer about.
Highlights of the game
Villa Park was sold out for a battle between two bastions of the game.
English league football’s most-played fixture, back after a three-season hiatus with unbeaten Everton the visitors.
Of course, SBOBET followers will know the reality of life for Villa was. Despite encouraging signs, a pointless start so a positive result in this was imperative.
The focus was also on their attack.
Sure, individual mistakes had proved costly at home to Bournemouth last weekend but, collectively, Dean Smith must have known his real concern was in up front.
There seemed a worrying onus on Wesley at £22 million. The club’s new record signing and the only senior striker in the squad was yet to find the net.
He soon put that right with a goal which provided a moment for the Villains to treasure and one to add to their Premier League 2019 highlights.
Jack Grealish nudged a quick free-kick to Jota whose superb pass played in the forward and he coolly slipped the ball beyond Jordan Pickford.
This was a sucker punch for the Merseysiders who had started strongly and the first goal they had conceded this season. They had been vying to start a season with three successive top-flight clean sheets for the first time since 1912.
In the opening minutes, Tyrone Mings twice had to be alert, as did goalkeeper Tom Heaton, while Grealish was perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty after catching Richarlison as he sprinted into the box.
After being on top for the first quarter, the goal seemed to disrupt the Toffees although only a fine goal-line clearance from new signing Bjorn Engels denied Dominic Calvert-Lewin a certain equaliser.
Yet the goal had sparked Villa into life and Grealish, who had lost a record 20 Premier League games in a row before tonight, almost doubled the advantage with a shot inches wide on the stroke of half-time.
With an hour played and no change, Everton boss Marco Silva brought on Alex Iwobi for his debut and the young starlet snapped up from Juventus, Moise Kean.
The Premier League 2019 odds would have increased on the visitors scoring an equaliser with their arrivals and only the woodwork denied them.
Iwobi was inches away from a dream debut as his low left-footed shot cannoned off the foot of the post and Mings was able to clear with Kean dangerously lurking.
Then, with stoppage time approaching, unmarked substitute Theo Walcott latched onto Kean’s cutback and volleyed over the crossbar from close range when it seemed easier to score and Lucas Digne then hooked over from 10 yards.
They were the bits of luck the hosts needed as they then raced through on the counter in the final seconds to double their lead through sub Anwar El Ghazi and spark raucous celebrations.
This was only their second win in 12 meetings with Everton and their first top-flight win since defeating Norwich at Villa Park in February 2016.
Villa are up and running!
Key statistics
This was the 203rd league encounter – all in the top flight – between these sides. Everton have 76 wins to Aston Villa’s 74.
Everton have failed to come from behind at half-time to win a Premier League game since September 2015 at West Brom.
Excluding own-goals, none of Aston Villa’s first 1,079 goals in the Premier League were scored by Brazilians. Their last two have been scored by Brazilian players (Douglas Luiz and Wesley).
Jota has been involved in 20 goals in 24 league starts under manager Dean Smith across spells at Brentford and Aston Villa (11 goals, nine assists).
Before tonight, Villa had lost 14 of their past 15 Premier League games, drawing the other one against Newcastle – the second-longest winless run in the club’s top-flight history.
This was also their first victory in a Friday Premier League match since December 1997.
Everton’s tally of 12 Premier League clean sheets in 2019 is second only to Manchester City’s 13.
These were the 250th Premier League appearances for Seamus Coleman and Gylfi Sigurdsson.
What’s next?
Believe it or not, it’s nearly time for the first international break of the season.
Villa travel to Palace next weekend (August 31) before Everton host Wolves – who pipped them to a European spot last season – 24 hours later (September 1).
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
