EVERTON VS ASTON VILLA – REVIEW

Everton picked up their second win of the season on Saturday as Aston Villa went down 3-0 at Goodison Park.

We took the lead in the first half when a well-worked short corner from Leighton Baines and Gareth Barry allowed the former to whip the ball in for Phil Jagielka to head home. It was 2-0 early in the second half when James McCarthy won the ball and played it to the returning Ross Barkley, who found Romelu Lukaku and the big Belgian’s shot squeezed under Brad Guzan. Villa’s American keeper was beaten again when Seamus Coleman finished another Baines delivery to seal an excellent win for Everton. The move for this goal had started with a short free kick from Leon Osman showing that short set-pieces do work and are maybe a better option for us.

It was a game we dominated throughout. Osman, Steven Naismith, Coleman and Barkley all came close in the first half while the closest Villa came was a curling shot from Hutton and an Agbonlahor effort which Tim Howard kept out.

We were terrific defensively and attacked well, creating enough chances to win the game comfortably. The team played some lovely football and although Villa were poor, the game showed the real Everton and suggested we may now be back to our best. The game really was perfection with goals, a clean sheet and key players – who improved the team so much – returning to the side. Barkley, Coleman and McCarthy played brilliantly and gave the whole team a lift. Ross brought something extra technically and looked like he can be the man to bring the best out of Lukaku, who played well too. Barkley’s ability to glide past players and draw groups of players to him, thereby creating space for others, is amazing to watch. Coleman was at his wonderful best, both in defending and in getting forward, and McCarthy was sensational in tackling and winning everything. We looked like a revived team with them back and players like Antolin Alcaraz, Baines, Naismith, Gareth Barry and Osman all put in good shifts too. Roberto Martinez got his tactics spot on and to think that we won like this without Kevin Mirallas and John Stones really makes you think of what we could do when they’re available. Roberto Martinez summed it up nicely after the game: “Barkley’s return capped a tremendous win.”

Going into the game, we sat just one place off the relegation zone and this win was a massive relief for everyone at the club. We rose five places thanks to the result and this game is something to build on and gather a bit of momentum from. That starts with Lille on Thursday as our European adventure continues in northern France.

Man of the Match: Steven Naismith

Player ratings: Tim Howard 8/10

Seamus Coleman 9/10

Phil Jagielka 8/10

Antolin Alcaraz 8.5/10

Leighton Baines 9.5/10

James McCarthy 9.5/10

Gareth Barry 9/10

Leon Osman 7/10

Ross Barkley 9/10

Steven Naismith 9.5/10

Romelu Lukaku 8/10

Steven Pienaar 7/10

Samuel Eto’o N/A

Darron Gibson N/A

Eoin Leeson.