David Moyes’ First Game In Charge Ends In Defeat

David Moyes’ first game in charge of Everton today ended in defeat as Aston Villa overcame the Blues to grab all three points.

A second-half counterattack led to a goal by English striker Ollie Watkins, giving Villa the only goal of the evening.

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Lineups:

Everton:

Pickford

Mykolenko

Branthwaite

Tarkowski

Young

Gueye

Mangala

Ndiaye

Doucoure

Harrison

Calvert-Lewin

Aston Villa:

Martinez

Cash

Konsa

Mings

Digne

Tielemans

Onana

Rogers

Ramsey

Kamara

Watkins

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Prior to kickoff, a warm welcome to new manager David Moyes was given by the Evertonians inside Goodison Park as he returned to the Everton dugout for the first time since his departure 11 years ago.

Everton seemed like relegation battle contenders prior to the game and even more so after the result. Now, the Blues sit 16th, one point above the relegation zone (with a greater goal difference, however).

Within the first half, Aston Villa were initially on top, providing a strong attacking threat with players such as Rogers and Watkins. A huge change fell to Watkins after a loose ball by Everton defender Ashley Young left the 29-year-old one-on-one with Jordan Pickford. Opening his body up too much, though, as Watkins’ strike headed wide of the far right post in front of that Gwladys Street.

It wasn’t long until Everton switched on fully as the Toffees eased into the game, providing the Toffees in attendance with a sliver of hope that the new manager bounce might be a helping hand to lead the team to a satisfactory result.

Chances fell to Calvert-Lewin and Ukrainian fullback Mykolenko too, causing a clearance off the line by Kamara. As the first half came to a close, it seemed an even game, and the predictions of what would occur in the second period of play were up in the air.

However, unfortunately for Everton, in the second half Aston Villa were the stronger side, with Emery’s setup being a key point for the victory. Another loose ball isolated in the middle of the park was swiftly collected by Aston Villa player Morgan Rogers. The midfielder laid a perfectly placed through ball into the path of Ollie Watkins, who was again one-on-one with Pickford. A simple slot home in the form of the travelling Villa away fans provided the only goal in the 1-0 victory.

It seems either the Everton players need still time to adjust from Sean Dyche’s tactics to Moyes’ or some improvements are needed in this January transfer window to stay up this season.

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Matchweek 21:

Tuesday 14th January:

Brentford 2-2 Man City

Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth

West Ham 3-2 Fulham

Nottingham Forest 1-1 Liverpool

Wednesday 15th January:

Everton 0-1 Aston Villa

Leicester 0-2 Crystal Palace

Newcastle 3-0 Wolves

Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham

Thursday 16th January:

Ipswich 19:30 Brighton

Man United 20:00 Southampton

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Thank you for reading my post-match article!