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Toffees get stuck in Lions teeth (Everton 2 – 1 Aston Villa)
Match verdict
Another false dawn for the Villa, after almost stunning Liverpool on their own turf and battling back valiantly against the Baggies to take all 3 points it looked like we were seeing a new Villa. The second half of this match showed that nothing has really changed; we are still capable of comedy defending and poor passing to contribute to our own downfall.
Villa started at their counter attacking best just soaking up the pressure and then breaking with pace and purpose, and that is how the first goal was scored. Fabian Delph put in an unbelievable tackle on Ross Barkley, Bacuna picked up the ball and gave it to Benteke, Benteke ran at the Everton defence, before slipping the ball to his right to Bacuna who had continued his run into the box and he slotted the ball low and hard past Howard and into the back of the net 0-1 to the Villa. Villa continued to control the 1st half without ever really looking likely to extend their lead.
In the second half Martinez made changes he brought on Pienaar for Barkley who was not having a good game (time to take him out the limelight for a bit rather than ruin a future England star). Everton began to turn the screw and I lost count of the number of corners they were getting, there was no way the Villa defence would hold out under this kind of pressure. It was the introduction of Steven Naismith for Stone that proved the tipping point, he always looks a threat and I had a bad feeling he might net a goal. I am going to lay the blame of the Everton equaliser on Nathan Baker – he didn’t look overly bothered when Naismith ran past him, Clarke made a desperate attempt to reach him but he had no chance – I think this is the only problem of playing 3 centre backs they tend to leave players to each other rather than take responsibility. When Vlaar was hauled off I knew we would go onto lose – Clarke and Baker are a calamitous pairing that should only ever exist when there are no other options. I hope that Vlaar isn’t injured (again) because I suspect Andy Carroll’s red will be rescinded o we are going to need him. The inevitable winning goal came from a 30 yard free kick by Kevin Mirallas – a goal worthy of winning any game, Guzan scrambled across his goal but it was an unstoppable strike. Villa offered no response and we were lucky not to concede further goals – this was more out of luck than anything. Naismith continued to pop up unmarked in the box but just couldn’t apply the finishing touch.
EVERTON (4-2-3-1): Howard; Stones (Naismith 70), Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Barry, McCarthy; Osman, Barkley (Pienaar 46), McGeady (Hibbert 87); Mirallas. Subs not used: Robles, Coleman, Garbutt, Vellios
Goals: Naismith (74), Mirallas (85) Booked: Baines
ASTON VILLA (3-5-2): Guzan; Baker, Vlaar (Albrighton 80), Clark; Bacuna, Westwood, Delph, Weimann (Tonev 87) Bertrand; Benteke, Holt (El Ahmadi 61). Subs not used: Steer, Sylla, Helenius, Lowton
Goals: Bacuna (34)
Next up– West Ham (H) – Hopefully they will be missing Andy Carroll as all of their play relies on him.
