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Everton logo
Premier League
Oct 18, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Aston Villa logo

3-0

Jagielka (18'), Lukaku (48'), Coleman (76')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Match Analysis: Everton 3-0 Aston Villa

Sports Mole takes a closer look at Everton's 3-0 Premier League victory over Aston Villa at Goodison Park.

Everton picked up just their second Premier League win of the season courtesy of a comfortable 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at Goodison Park this afternoon.

Phil Jagielka's powerful header put the hosts ahead on 18 minutes, before Romelu Lukaku doubled his side's advantage shortly after the half-time interval.

The game was put beyond Villa's reach on the 76-minute mark, when Seamus Coleman added goal number three from close range.

Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how the 90 minutes of action unfolded on Merseyside.

Match statistics

Everton
Shots: 8
On target: 6
Possession: 61%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 11

Aston Villa
Shots: 6
On target: 2
Possession: 39%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 16

Was the result fair?

Everton were certainly good value for their three-goal winning margin, although that was largely down to the abject showing of the away side. Villa came into this game on the back of three successive defeats and looked to remain nice and compact at the back, but as soon as Jagielka found the net, the Villans seemed to lose their shape.

Just two shots on target across the 90 minutes shows that the West Midlands outfit have failed to learn lessons from their recent slump in form as they made it all too easy for the Toffees back line. Paul Lambert's charges only really looked dangerous on the rare occasions that they hit their opponents on the counter-attack, while Everton were a constant threat before taking their foot on the gas following the goal early in the second half.

Everton's performance

On this showing, it is clear to see that the Merseyside outfit's position in the league table coming into this game does not tell the full story of their capabilities. Buoyed by the return of Ross Barkley in midfield, Everton looked solid throughout and coasted to their 3-0 win. While Lukaku hardly set the world alight this afternoon, he linked up well with Barkley in a promising sign for Roberto Martinez's side.

What will please the Toffees boss more than anything, though, is the fact that his side kept a rare clean sheet, while at the same time adding to their modest goal tally. Villa may have made it somewhat easy for them at times, but credit to Everton for putting in a professional showing to claim just their second league win of the season. More of this and they will be back among the top six in no time.

Aston Villa's performance

Their 1-0 victory against Liverpool looked a distant memory up the road from that triumph at Goodison Park today, with yet another poor showing in front of goal. The biggest criticism that Lambert's charges have faced this season is the fact that they do not trouble opposition goalkeepers nearly as much as they should do, and that was the case once more this afternoon with Tim Howard being forced into making two straightforward saves.

If there is one positive to take away from this game, it is the fact that Christian Benteke lasted over 80 minutes in his comeback from injury, and Villa badly need their striker up and running as soon as possible. Gabriel Agbonlahor may have scored seven career goals against Everton but he, like the majority of his teammates, just could not get a grip on proceedings in this fourth successive loss. In Villa's defence, they have played last season's top five sides in consecutive games, so a loss of form was perhaps to be expected. That said, the nature of the defeats is what will worry supporters, and they will need to put that right in their next outing against bottom-of-the-table Queens Park Rangers.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Leighton Baines: There were plenty of contenders for this award among the home side's ranks, not least Steven Naismith, who put in yet another tireless shift. Yet this accolade goes to Leighton Baines, who helped himself to another couple of assists. Not only that, but he was at the heart of all of his side's chances throughout the game, proving that he is arguably the finest left-back in the Premier League right now.

Biggest gaffe

Not one incident as such, but more a collective showing from Villa in front of goal. They have now failed to find the net in their last four games, which is a run that simply cannot continue. Worse still, today's stalemate came against a side with the worst defensive record in the top flight beforehand.

Referee performance

Anthony Taylor did not really have too many big decisions to make, with Benteke's disallowed goal in the second half the only talking point of note. That was a decision that replays showed was spot on, while he also allowed the game to flow whenever he could.

What next?

Everton: Next up in the league for the Toffees is a trip to face Burnley at Turf Moor, although, before that, their attention turns back to Europa League action with Lille their opponents on Thursday night.

Aston Villa: The Claret and Blues have now completed their horror run of fixtures and prepare to face basement club QPR next weekend.

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Phil Jagielka of Everton turns to celebrate after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Aston Villa at Goodison Park on October 18, 2014
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