One win in their last 14 Premier League games – a painful piece of statistics for Everton. Today’s loss to Aston Villa hurts even more since at the helm of the Birmingham team seats one of the biggest Toffees enemies – Steven Gerrard.Everton thought things will change with the departure of Rafael Benitez who left Goodison a few days ago but interim manager – Duncan Ferguson – failed to revive his men who weren’t strong enough and suffered yet another defeat.In the most played fixture in English football – there were even more subplots. Along with Ferguson taking the managerial spot again and Gerrard returning to Goodison – French full-back Lucas Digne also made his comeback but this time – in a claret shirt.Manchester giants each have their own reasons to dominate this afternoonBig Dunc is famous for his intensity and for being able to inspire men under him – however, today it wasn’t so. Everton failed to register a first-half shot and to live up to the pre-match hype.It was the visitors instead who showed energy and determination. Emiliano Buendía went close to scoring when saw his strike from the edge of the box palmed away by Jordan Pickford, who had a great afternoon. Villains kept pressuring – Ollie Watkins sent his shot wide from close-range soon after.The chances kept coming for the guests – Watkins tried again with a point-blank header but was denied by England national team colleague Pickford, who showed wonderful athleticism.Then it was another persona non grata at Goodison that tried endangering Toffees’ goal – Philippe Coutinho. His attempt was stopped by the inspired goalkeeper on Brazilian’s first Villa start.But there was just so much Pickford could do – eventually Gerrard’s men got their reward seconds before it rang halftime. After Digne sent in a corner cross, Buendía capitalised on poor marking and darted to the near post.En la semana en la que se confirmó su regreso a la Selección Argentina, Emi Buendía🇦🇷 le dio la victoria a Aston Villa (con Dibu🇦🇷 en el arco) 0-1 en su visita a Everton pic.twitter.com/u1iBCZgxp9— VarskySports (@VarskySports) January 22, 2022 Benítez was out of the picture for the home fans (the fifth Everton manager to be sacked in six years) and Goodison Park surely felt different with an Evertonian in the dugout. Ferguson gave some boost to his players and the hosts pressed for an equaliser. Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin tried soon after the second half started but were unable to find the net.Tyrone Mings later cleared Ben Godfrey’s header off the line thus preserving the Villa lead. Two chances from Yerry Mina followed but ended up on the wrong side of the post.Kenyan Tyler Onyango came into play in the 65th minute as a replacement to injured Abdoulaye Doucoure and gave a solid performance. But it was too hard for the hosts to bring down the Birmingham team who managed to hold on to their advantage.For the first time since 2005/06, Everton failed to hit the 20-point mark 18 games into a season. Liverpool Blues remain five points off the bottom three, having lost 10 of their previous 13 league matches. Aston Villa, on the other end, completed a Premier League double win over Everton to move into the top half.PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 23FridayWatford – Norwich 0-3 (0-0)/Sargent 51, 74, Kucka 90+2 og/SaturdayEverton – Aston Villa 0-1 (0-1)/Buendia 45+3/Man.Utd. – West Ham IN PROGRESSLeeds – Newcastle IN PROGRESSBrentford – Wolverhampton IN PROGRESS20:30: (10.0) Southampton (6.25) Man.City (1.30)Sunday17:00: (2.65) Leicester (3.25) Brighton (2.90)17:00: (1.37) Arsenal (5.10) Burnley (10.0)17:00: (6.25) Crystal Palace (3.90) Liverpool (1.63)19:30: (1.75) Chelsea (3.70) Tottenham (5.40)***odds are subject to change
