Everton defender Phil Jagielka: 'We let the fans down'

Everton defender Phil Jagielka has claimed that he and his teammates 'let down' the club's supporters by succumbing to defeat at the hands of Merseyside rivals Liverpool.

The Toffees were subjected to a 4-0 thumping by Liverpool at Anfield last night.

After manager Roberto Martinez described his team as defensively naive following the defeat, Jagielka has called on his teammates to respond against Aston Villa this weekend.

"We are disappointed to lose to our rivals in the manner that we did," Jagielka told Everton TV. "The fans are the ones that deserve the credit and we know in the changing room that we let them down.

"We know the only way we can get back on track is by performing well at home against Villa when we can hopefully get them singing again by taking three points."

Everton are four points adrift of Liverpool, who currently occupy the final Champions League place in the Premier League table.