Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard react as Aston Villa edge out Everton

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard says that "no-one can challenge" the level of his team's performance, claiming that his side were fully deserving of their 2-1 triumph over Everton.

On the back of defeats to Bournemouth and Chelsea last weekend, the Villans and Toffees were under pressure to deliver a bounce-back victory in the West Midlands.

Villa deservedly led at the break through a smart finish from Danny Ings, and although Everton had their moments after half time, they could have few complaints when Emiliano Buendia doubled the home side's advantage.

An own goal from Lucas Digne - instigated by some enterprising play from Everton's big-money arrival Amadou Onana - saw the visitors immediately halve the deficit, but some last-ditch defending in added-on time ensured that Villa claimed the three points.

In sharp contrast to last weekend when Gerrard heavily criticised his side, the Englishman was full of praise for the efforts of his team - which included the recalled Tyrone Mings - on Saturday afternoon.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Gerrard said: "I'm really pleased with our level of performance, I believed that if we found that level there would be a different outcome from last week. What we put in this week, the quality and the goals we scored, no-one can challenge the outcome, I thought we deserved it.

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"We looked a different team today. It was tough conditions for both sets of players, but they were excellent in terms of the game plan. We really wanted to make it about their back three, and both goals have come off that."

Lampard acknowledged Gerrard's assessment that Villa had capitalised on his team twice conceding possession, although he felt like Everton should have found an equaliser during a frantic conclusion.

Speaking to BT Sport, Lampard said: "I thought that we should have got a draw at the end of the game. Two or three good chances late on. When we were set defensively and organised, I don't think they gave us too much problems, and we gave the ball away in a couple of transitions and they scored two goals.

"That's the reality of Premier League football. You can't make those mistakes and give the ball away when you are open. We got punished for that. At the end, the spirit was good, and you come away from it with a bad feeling thinking that you should have got a point from it."

Villa are next in action against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, while Everton play host to Nottingham Forest.