Aston Villa’s long-standing dominance over Everton at Villa Park came to an abrupt end as the Toffees claimed a 1-0 Premier League victory, courtesy of a sharp second-half finish from Thierno Barry. The result marked Everton’s first league win over Villa since 2016 and brought an end to the hosts’ formidable home run, Softfootball reports.
With Arsenal having dropped points in a goalless draw against Nottingham Forest yesterday, this fixture presented Villa with a real opportunity to narrow the gap at the top. Instead, Unai Emery’s side produced a flat display and were left frustrated as a disciplined Everton side executed their game plan to perfection.
The visitors nearly delivered a seismic shock almost immediately, with Merlin Röhl striking the post inside the opening moments after combining neatly with Barry. That early warning set the tone, as Everton played with freedom and belief, unsettling a Villa side that struggled to impose their usual rhythm.
Villa created openings of their own before the break, most notably when Evann Guessand glanced a header onto the crossbar and Morgan Rogers saw a close-range effort smothered. Everton even thought they had edged ahead midway through the first half through Jake O’Brien, only for the goal to be chalked off due to an offside infringement in the build-up.
The breakthrough arrived just before the hour mark. Martínez could only parry Dwight McNeil’s initial effort, and Barry showed excellent composure to lift the rebound into the net, punishing Villa for their wastefulness. From that moment, the game tilted emotionally, with the home side chasing and Everton growing in confidence.
Villa pressed late on and came agonisingly close through Rogers, whose curling attempt was brilliantly tipped away by Jordan Pickford. Yet clear chances proved scarce, and Everton’s defensive resolve held firm through a tense closing spell.
It was a sobering afternoon for Emery, fresh from being named Premier League Manager of the Month for December, as his side failed to capitalise on Arsenal’s slip and lost further ground in the title race. Villa have now taken just one win from their last four league outings, a run that threatens to stall their momentum.
After the game ended. Everton via its official X handle shared the post match reactions of its players to the win as they head into the dressing room. They posted:
For Everton, this was a victory of real substance. David Moyes secured a rare personal win over Emery, while his side’s strong recent away form continued, lifting them into the top half and reinforcing the sense of a team growing in confidence at a crucial stage of the season.
