Everton have cruised to a 4-0 win over struggling Aston Villa in their Premier League clash at Goodison Park this afternoon.
Ross Barkley slotted in from close range to give the Toffees the lead, before Romelu Lukaku headed in a second from Seamus Coleman's cross.
Roberto Martinez's side then opened up a three-goal lead as Barkley struck after Arouna Kone's effort had been parried.
After the break, Lukaku raced onto Barkley's pass and scored a fourth to seal the points and subject Villa to a 10th league defeat of the season.
Find out how the action unfolded below.
Good afternoon everyone! The Premier League is back after a packed week of international football with a full complement of fixtures. Here, our focus will be on events at Goodison Park, as Everton play host to struggling Aston Villa.
It has been a mixed start to the season for the Toffees, who have won just two of their home league games this season. However Roberto Martinez's side can close the gap on the top four with a victory to maintain their European aspirations.
Meanwhile, the Villans have endured a miserable opening to the campaign and have failed to win in the top flight since the opening day. They did manage to bring their losing run to an end in their last game against Manchester City, which saw Remi Garde take to the dugout for the first time.
With a number of players on international duty there have been some concerns over their fitness for today's match. So, without further ado, let's have a look at who will be stepping out at Goodison this afternoon!
EVERTON XI: Howard, Coleman, Mori, Stones, Galloway, Barry, McCarthy, Deulofeu, Barkley Kone, Lukaku
ASTON VILLA XI: Guzan, Hutton, Richards, Clark, Richardson, Gana, Westwood, Veretout, Gil, Grealish, Ayew
EVERTON SUBS: Robles, Osman, Cleverley, Gibson, Lennon, Mirallas, Naismith
ASTON VILLA SUBS: Bunn, Bacuna, Sinclair, Lescott, Sanchez, N'Zogbia, Gestede
That's how our teams will be lining up this afternoon. Everton manager Roberto Martinez has kept faith with the same starting XI that draw against West Ham United last time out. They still have a number of big names including Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka ruled out through injury, but Tom Cleverley is back on the bench after his recent spell on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, the visitors have made three changes from their previous outing against Manchester City. Jack Grealish, Ashley Westwood and Kieran Richardson are all brought into the starting lineup, with Jordan Ayew the man chosen to spearhead their attack once again.
So, it hasn't been the worst of starts to the season for Everton, but they have really struggled for consistency in the past couple of months. Roberto Martinez and his players must be frustrated by their results, but there is plenty to suggest they can enjoy a successful campaign.
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In two of the club's biggest games of the season against Chelsea and Liverpool they managed to record their best results. A Steven Naismith hat-trick saw them claim a 3-1 win over the Blues, while they showed good spirit to fight back and earn a draw against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby.
Their progress was slightly blunted last month following successive defeats against Manchester United and Arsenal, but they bounced back to edge past Norwich City with a penalty shootout victory in the League Cup, before turning on the style to thrash Sunderland 6-2 in their previous home match at the beginning of November.
Prior to the international break, the Toffees travelled to Upton Park to take on West Ham United and they found themselves a goal down when Manuel Lanzini curled an unstoppable effort into the top corner. However, they hit back and Romelu Lukaku slotted home just before half time to level the scores and help his side to earn a point.
Making the trip to Goodison this afternoon are a Villa side who are badly struggling at the bottom of the Premier League. They have won just one of their matches in the top flight this season, but that came all the way back on the opening day in a 1-0 triumph over Bournemouth at Dean Court.
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Things soon took a turn for the worse and Tim Sherwood's position as manager came under huge threat after a string of defeats. His fate was finally sealed after just eight months in charge following a 2-1 defeat against Swansea, with former Lyon boss Remi Garde taking over the hot seat at Villa Park.
Garde's first game as manager was against none other than league leaders Manchester City two weeks ago and few expected a positive result. However, Villa managed to survive a huge amount of pressure from their opponents to cling on for a goalless draw that brought an end to their miserable seven-game losing run.
Despite that impressive result against the Citizens, Garde will know that his team must start winning soon. They have picked up just five points and are currently a further five adrift of 17th-place Newcastle. He must also be looking towards brining in new players when the transfer window opens, with a striker surely the priority after their lack of goals in recent months.
As two of the football league's founding members, this fixture is the most played in the history of English football. It is Everton, though, who have dominated the contest in the most recent meetings between the teams and they have lost just one of their previous nine clashes against the Villans.
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However, that defeat came when the teams last met in May at Villa Park, in what turned out to be an eventful game. There were five goals shared between the teams, as two goals from Christian Benteke helped the hosts to claim a precious 3-2 win that helped them in their battle to stay in the top flight.
I'm sure you've already seen our preview for today's match, but just in case you missed it, there's still enough time to have a listen to our Podcast before kick off.
As with each game in the Premier League across the weekend, La Marseillaise will be played in the stadium as a tribute to the victims of the terror attacks in Paris on November 13. The players have just made their way to the centre circle and are all standing united to express their solidarity against the atrocities that occurred.
KICKOFF! The anthem was observed impeccably by everyone inside the stadium and we are now underway at Goodison Park!
It's Everton who are seeing a lot of the ball in the opening minutes, but they have not been able to fashion any chances so far. They have managed to switch the play quite well, with Villa sitting back very deep at the moment.
Still lots of possession for Everton, who are beginning to put their opponents under increasing pressure. A couple of long balls looking for Kone and Lukaku have only just missed the mark, with the visiting defence having real difficulties clearing the danger.
It does seem as though Villa are happy to sit back and soak up the pressure, but they cannot afford to have so many players back on the edge of their own box for the whole match. Their plan seems to be to win the ball back and attack on the counter, with the likes of Ayew and Grealish using their pace to break.
There have already been a few signs of frustration from the crowd this afternoon and a huge moan rings around Goodison when a corner is cleared by the first man. The supporters will have to be very patient with their team this afternoon, as it will not be easy to break down their very defensive Villa side.
Almost an opening for Everton as Villa fail to deal with a long ball over the top, allowing Coleman to get in down the right. However, when the full-back gets the ball under his control, he hauls down Richardson and a foul is given by the referee as he sets himself to shoot.
GOAL! Everton 1-0 Aston Villa (Ross Barkley)
A goal has certainly been coming and Everton have managed to break the deadlock. A fine team move sees Deulofeu slipped into the box down the right, before seeing his low drive across goal saved by Guzan. The keeper's attempts are in vain though, as Barkley is in quickly at the back post to slot the ball home from close range and give his side the lead.
There can be no denying that Everton deserve to be in front after their commanding start to the match. With the goal coming inside the opening 20 minutes it should help to settle down the crowd, who were already becoming rather impatient a few minutes ago.
Since conceding, Villa have begun to push more players forward, but it is leaving plenty of space open at the back. It is really playing into Everton's hands, as Barkley, Deulofeu and even Galloway are so quick to get forward in support of the attack.
CHANCE! Everton are so close to grabbing a second goal as Deulofeu bursts down the right before picking out Kone in the middle. The Ivorian looks favourite to turn the ball into the back of the net, but Guzan reacts well to stick out a strong hand and tip the ball wide.
GOAL! Everton 2-0 Aston Villa (Romelu Lukaku)
The Toffees are absolutely cruising now as Lukaku gets in on the action. It was another fine piece of play from Everton, as Coleman was played in down the right, before whipping in a cross to the near post that was brilliantly headed into the far corner by the Belgian for his eighth league goal of the season.
There's no telling what the final scoreline will be this afternoon, as Everton look in top form. They have got plenty of men forward at every opportunity this afternoon, with Deulofeu and Coleman providing the most threat on the right.
Everton are still knocking the ball around well in the centre of the midfield and are just waiting for their chance to free one of their attackers again. It must be tough on Villa, who are chasing shadows for long spells and are really struggling.
Deulofeu has been brilliant for Everton this afternoon and he is in full flight once again when a Villa attack breaks down. The Spaniard bursts from the halfway line to the edge of the visitors' box before trying to find Lukaku, but Richards reads the situation well and is in the right place to cut out the danger.
GOAL! Everton 3-0 Aston Villa (Ross Barkley)
This is turning into a rout now as Everton open up a three-goal lead before the break. Lukaku had flicked a ball over the top for Kone, who saw his initial effort saved by Guzan. However, the ball breaks loose to Barkley, who makes no mistake to fire into the loose net and further extend his team's commanding advantage.
There will be a minute added on before half time.
HALF-TIME: Everton 3-0 Aston Villa
It's half time at Goodison and it already looks to be game over, with Everton in complete control. Two goals from Ross Barkley and an effort from Romelu Lukaku has given them a 3-0 lead over Aston Villa, who are on their way to a 10th league defeat of the season.
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The Toffees have been on top since the start of the match and it is no surprise to see that they have had a hefty 66% of the possession. They have also had six attempts on goal, with five of those finding the target, while none of Villa's three shots have caused any problems for Tim Howard.
I'm not too sure how Villa can turn things around in the second half, and they don't have too many attacking options on the bench. They do have Rudy Gestede among the subs, but the striker came back from international duty with an injury, so it's unclear how fit he is at the moment.
RESTART! Villa take the kick off for the second half and get the action back underway. The visitors have also made a change, with Gueye coming on for Sanchez.
CHANCE! Big chance for Villa to pull a goal back right at the start of the half as Mori plays a short pass back to his keeper, with Veretout latching onto the ball. However, Howard is quick off his line to block the Villa man's effort and prevent the goal.
Aside from that promising opening for Veretout, there hasn't been too much to get excited about for Villa, as Everton are still commanding the play. They haven't quite been able to replicate their first-half form yet, but another goal will surely kill off any hopes of a comeback for the Villans.
It seems as Villa are about to make a change, as Gestede has been warming up on the touchline. The Benin international has scored four goals already this season and his presence is certainly in need this afternoon.
SUB! Gestede does indeed come on for Villa, with Gil the man to make way.
SAVE! Villa have not shown too much threat but they come forward with purpose and Richardson is allowed to cut inside from the left. He then fires in a swerving drive that initially looks to have Howard fooled, but the keeper reacts well to get a firm hand to the ball and touch it wide.
GOAL! Everton 4-0 Aston Villa (Romelu Lukaku)
It's all over now as Everton score their fourth goal of the afternoon. Deulofeu combines well with Barkley in the midfield, before the England international threads a fine pass through to Lukaku, who keeps his composure to slot the ball beyond Guzan and into the corner.
CHANCE! Gealish tries his best to fashion an opening for Villa, but Stones stands tall to put the ball behind for a corner. From the resulting set piece, Ayew meets the ball at the front post with a clever flick, but Howard is down well to make the save.
SHOT! Ayew threatens for Villa again when he receives the ball just outside the box and dribbles past a couple of defenders, before working some space to shoot. The Ghanaian then tries to curl a low strike into the corner, but it lacks enough power to beat Howard, who claims with relative ease.
This has been such a fine display from Everton and they are set to climb up to seventh in the table. A push for a European place is certainly well within their grasp, and with a kind set of fixtures coming up, they could be in an even better position by the end of the year.
While it has been an improved effort from Villa in the second half, they still look like conceding every time their opponents hit them on the break. It's hard to judge what Garde will take from today's match, but the Frenchman has an extremely tough job on his hands to keep the club in the top flight.
SUB! Everton are making a double change, with Deulofeu and Barkley both given standing ovations as they leave the pitch, with Mirallas and Osman coming on to replace them.
SUB! Villa are also making a change, as N'Zogbia is on to replace Grealish.
CHANCE! Everton almost extend their lead even further as Galloway is picked out with a ball to the back post. He then connects with a firm volley that looks certain to find the target, but Mirallas is standing in front of him and the ball strikes the Belgian before heading out for a goal kick.
CHANCE! Mirallas very nearly conjures up a fantastic fifth for Everton as he curls in a free kick looking for the corner. However, Guzan is quickly across his line to tip the ball wide of the post, although the replays show it may have been going behind anyway.
SUB! Third and final change for Everton, with McCarthy heading off to be replaced by Gibson.
CHANCE! A loose ball breaks over the top and Lukaku attempts to slide in and finish, but Guzan is bravely off his line to block. The follow through from the Belgian catches the keeper and leaves both players down on the ground, but after receiving some treatment both players are back up on their feet, albeit with each limping slightly.
SHOT! What a stunning goal this would have been from Mirallas. The Belgian is found inside the box by Gibson's floated pass, before attempting a volley into the top corner that heads only a few inches over the bar.
There are going to be at least three minutes of stoppage time.
SAVE! Mirallas has looked lively since coming on and the Belgian cuts in from the left before drilling in a low strike. His effort is well struck, but it is straight at the keeper who gets down and makes an easy claim.
FULL-TIME: Everton 4-0 Aston Villa
The final whistle blows at Goodison Park and Everton have romped to the three points today. Two goals apiece from Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku has helped them to a 4-0 victory that has moved them up to seventh in the table, while Villa are still rock bottom after losing their 10th league game of the campaign.
I'm afraid that's all we've got time for this afternoon, but player ratings and analysis from Goodison Park will be coming up shortly. If you want even more action, then we have Manchester City taking on Liverpool and the huge El Clasico grudge match between Real Madrid and Barcelona starting shortly. Until next time, goodbye!
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Written by
Alex Meyers
Alex Meyers
