Aston Villa turned on the style in the second half to clinch a deserved 3-0 win over Everton in front of a raucous Villa Park crowd.
It was an entertaining opening to the game as both sides showed intent from the off to push forward and play attacking football, and the game’s first big chance fell the way of Villa after Salomon Rondon had two half openings in the first five minutes.
Tyrone Mings forced a sensational reflex save from Everton goalkeeper Asmir Begovic at his front post, having peeled off the front stick to glance a header at goal. Villa’s skipper couldn’t have really done much more, but the Bosnian’s cat like reflexes came to the fore as he strongly palmed the ball up into the air and away.
There were no other clear-cut openings in the first 45 minutes, though both teams enjoyed bright spells, before Villa begun the second half with a spring in their step.
They were the better team before Demarai Gray dragged a shot wide off the mark for Everton, and soon made their superiority count once Leon Bailey entered the fray.
The Jamaican’s impact was instant but it was Matty Cash who opened the scoring for Villa, outmuscling Lucas Digne after cutting in from the right flank before firing a powerful shot into the roof of Begovic’s net.
Scenes. ? @LeonBailey ? #AVLEVE pic.twitter.com/blrxShkA8T
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) September 18, 2021
Moments later it was 2-0, Digne glancing into his own net from Bailey’s in-swinging corner, before the Jamaican almost tore the net off with a rip-roaring finish following a cracking Danny Ings pass.
Bailey’s cameo lasted just 20 minutes as he hobbled off injured – the evenings of John McGinn and Cash were also ended prematurely by knocks – but his impact on proceedings at Villa Park will be remembered for many days to come. Everton, meanwhile, will wonder how they faded so badly.
Here’s how the players rated.
Emi Martinez (GK) – 6/10 – Only returned to the country first thing in the morning. Would have caught up on some sleep were it not for a raucous crowd.
Ezri Konsa (CB) – 6/10 – Not put under a great deal of duress, particularly when the aerial threat of Rondon had passed.
Axel Tuanzebe (CB) – 6/10 – Wasn’t given an awful lot to do, though Gray did evade him a couple of times.
Tyrone Mings (CB) – 7/10 – Villa’s captain will wonder how he didn’t open the scoring early on. Marshalled the home defence well.
Off the mark with a belter! ?@MattyCash622 ? #AVLEVE pic.twitter.com/WFAVvvh3Cs
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) September 18, 2021
Matty Cash (RWB) – 8/10 – Was always a threat going forward, both cutting in and hanging wide right. Scored a superb opener, showing more desire and power than Digne.
Jacob Ramsey (CM) – 7/10 – Positive in possession and always looking to drive towards the box. A good prospect.
Douglas Luiz (CM) – 7/10 – Known for sitting at the base of midfield, Luiz looked far more dangerous after moving into McGinn’s slightly more advanced role.
John McGinn (CM) – 6/10 – Took a blow to the face early on but typically battled on bravely until just before half-time. Replaced as a concussion substitute.
Matt Targett (LWB) – 6/10 – Pushed forward to provide width in attack where possible, but hampered by a knock. Subbed on the hour.
Danny Ings (ST) – 6/10 – Was fairly quiet throughout the game, but did produce one moment of real quality to pick out Bailey for the third.
Ollie Watkins (ST) – 6/10 – Industrious as ever but a lot of Villa’s best work actually occurred around Watkins this time out.
THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE ?
WHAT A PLAYER! ? pic.twitter.com/HWY63WGVhg
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) September 18, 2021
Marvelous Nakamba (CM) – 6/10 – Helped Villa gain control of the midfield battle, one they never really looked like losing.
Leon Bailey (LWB) – 8/10 – Was only on for 20 minutes, but what a 20 minutes it was. Goal, assist (kind of) and a wonderful insight into what he can do.
Ashley Young (LWB) – N/A
Bertrand Traore (RWB) – N/A
Big save from Asmir Begovic! ⛔
What reactions from the stand-in goalkeeper!#AVLEVE pic.twitter.com/xKasHxwZNK
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 18, 2021
Asmir Begovic (GK) – 7/10 – Made a terrific early stop from Mings, showing unbelievable reflexes. Not much he could do for either of Villa’s goals.
Ben Godfrey (RB) – 6/10 – Began the game well enough but faded as Villa began to overwhelm Everton.
Yerry Mina (CB) – 6/10 – Kept the front two quiet but struggled positionally when challenged by runs from Ramsey and Luiz.
Michael Keane (CB) – 6/10 – Should have done better with a header at goal, and was defensively pretty quiet. Won his aerial duels.
Lucas Digne (LB) – 4/10 – Had a horrible five minutes in the second half, firstly allowing Cash to wriggle free of him to open the scoring before glancing Bailey’s header into his own goal.
Andros Townsend (RM) – 5/10 – A fairly quiet display for Townsend as he struggled to get on the ball.
Allan (CM) – 6/10 – Kept things neat and tidy in midfield until the game suddenly got away from Everton. Subbed to try and help turn the tide.
Abdoulaye Doucoure (CM) – 6/10 – Another solid showing between both good boxes. Makes tackles, is good in the air and rarely loses the ball.
Alex Iwobi (LM) – 5/10 – Must find it hard changing position virtually every week. Started behind Rondon, drifted out wide left and then led the line – weird.
Demarai Gray (SS) – 7/10 – Another classy display from a player who is full of confidence and growing in stature with every passing game. That said, missed a very good chance before watching the game get away from Everton.
Salomon Rondon (ST) – 6/10 – Began the game brightly, showing no real signs of Premier League ring rust. Lacking fitness.
62′ Our first change of the afternoon…?
Let’s go, @aftgomes! ?#AVLEVE pic.twitter.com/lLp5bvLQ0F
— Everton (@Everton) September 18, 2021
Andre Gomes (CM) – 5/10 – Soon overwhelmed in the centre of midfield as Villa began to take charge
Anthony Gordon (CM) –
Jonjoe Kenny (RB) –
Tom Davies (CM) –
