Ollie Watkins’ fine finish in the 51st minute saw Everton down to defeat as David Moyes returned for his second spell as manager at Goodison Park.
England forward Watkins collected Morgan Rodgers’ impressive pass and produced a composed strike to beat the advancing Jordan Pickford as Villa secured their third straight win in all competitions.
Villans move above Bournemouth into seventh place – level with Manchester City – and ensured Everton stayed a point above the relegation zone after a third straight league defeat without scoring.
Great work from Morgan Rogers finds Ollie Watkins to break the deadlock at Goodison! 🔥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/k9zCee6Og2
— Soccer on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 15, 2025
Moyes makes a missed comeback
Moyes he made Everton a consistent European contender during his 11 years at the club before leaving in 2013, and produced decent performances against Champions League opposition as the Scot once again took charge.
The 61-year-old said he had challenged Dominic Calvert-Lewin to immediately add to his tally of two goals this season and the former England striker went closest, although Villa comfortably cleared his effort off the line.
Everton applied late pressure with a number of balls into the box, but their lack of edge would have come as no surprise to Moyes or anyone who has seen them flirt with danger again this season.
Ipswich Town can move above Everton when they host Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday. Moyes publicly backed his players to avoid a relegation battle in his first press conference and their fate looks likely to depend on whether he can get more goals against a group that has now failed to score in five of its last six championship games.
They then host two defensively sensitive opponents, hosting Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (2pm BST) before going to Brighton on January 25 (3pm).
“I hate to say it, I don’t think we’ve been at our best this season” 😤
Morgan Rogers says Villa are building back to their best after first away win in five games 🙌
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Ma1SgwOLbq
— Soccer on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 15, 2025
Finally Villa wins away from home
Playing away from home for the first time since their 3-0 defeat by Newcastle on December 26, Villa – as Watkins said afterwards – would understandably see their task as difficult against a potentially rejuvenated Everton.
Two home wins in six days this month provided a contrast to their home form, including five league defeats in a row by an aggregate score of 14-2.
That result may have been just the confidence boost Unai Emery’s side required before they travel to Arsenal on Saturday (5.30pm), where they won 2-0 in April, and Monaco in the Champions League on Tuesday (5.45pm).
