Ollie Watkins broke the deadlock on David Moyes' return to Everton to give Aston Villa a 51st-minute lead at Goodison Park in the Premier League.
England striker Watkins collected Morgan Rogers' well-thought-out pass and shot past advancing keeper Jordan Pickford for his ninth goal of the season.
“Isn't this just a villa at its best?” former Leeds striker Lucy Ward asked on TNT Sports, crediting Ezri Konsa's “fantastic” role in the move.
“They get up the field very quickly. Morgan Rogers runs on the loose ball – Everton will be disappointed with that – and separates Watkins from his marker and passes it behind Pickford.
Great play from Morgan Rogers finds Ollie Watkins breaking the deadlock for Goodison! 🔥
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 15, 2025
Everton vs Villa: Watkins' goals
Moyes ended his eight-month absence from football He will begin his second spell as Toffees boss on Monday, succeeding Sean Dyche after the former Burnley boss was sacked by new owners The Friedkin Group.
Only bottom club Southampton have won fewer matches and scored fewer goals than Everton this season, who are one point above the relegation zone.
Both teams had chances during a lively first half, with Jacob Ramsey shooting wide when well placed for Villa.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who challenged Moyes to immediately add two goals to his tally of two goals this season, also threatened the hosts.
Welcome back to Goodison Park, David Moyes 👏
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 15, 2025
Watkins “keeps his cool.”
Ward said: “This is what Villa was missing in the first half, which is a little calm and quality in front of goal.”
“Pickford knew he was going to have to come out and be involved but Watkins kept his composure. To be fair to Pickford, he was left quite exposed.
In the event of a third successive win in all competitions, Villa will move above Bournemouth to seventh place, equal on points with Manchester City.
Everton are winless in their last five Premier League matches, failing to score in four of them and losing the previous two.
