Thierno Barry’s second half strike hands Everton a deserved away win at Villa Park as Aston Villa miss the chance to climb to second and it ends Villa’s home run.
Aston Villa missed the chance to move second in the Premier League after losing 1-0 to Everton at Villa Park. Thierno Barry’s composed finish shortly before the hour sealed a deserved away win. It ended Villa’s long home winning streak and lifted Everton further away from mid table congestion. The result also kept leaders Arsenal seven points clear at the summit.
Villa arrived in strong home form, having won 11 straight matches at Villa Park in all competitions. Everton ignored that record and started with real intent. They almost stunned the hosts inside 11 seconds. Merlin Rohl raced onto a long clearance and struck the post with a low effort.
That early scare set the pattern for a lively first half. Everton were aggressive in duels and quick on the break. Jake O’Brien thought he had headed them in front from a corner. The goal was ruled out after VAR judged Harrison Armstrong offside and interfering.
Villa responded with spells of pressure but lacked sharpness. Emiliano Buendia wasted an early opening, while Morgan Rogers was denied by a fine block. The game opened up before the break. Evann Guessand, on for the injured John McGinn, headed against the crossbar with Pickford beaten.
Everton kept their discipline after halftime and waited for mistakes. It came in the 59th minute and proved decisive. Pau Torres miscontrolled a simple pass, allowing Dwight McNeil to shoot. Emiliano Martinez spilled the effort, and Barry reacted quickest.
The striker showed composure to lift the rebound over Martinez and into the net. It was his third goal in four league games. The finish rewarded Everton’s sharper edge and punished Villa’s lapse in concentration.
Villa pushed for an equaliser but found Everton stubborn. Jordan Pickford produced a flying save to deny Rogers from distance. Emiliano Buendia headed wide late on as frustration grew. Villa finished with 18 shots but could not find a breakthrough.
Everton’s defensive unit impressed throughout. James Tarkowski and O’Brien were dominant in the air. Pickford commanded his area well under pressure. In midfield, Rohl delivered his best display since arriving on loan.
Villa generated 1.44 expected goals from their 18 attempts but failed to score. Five of those efforts were on target. Everton managed fewer chances, with an expected goals of 0.51 but made theirs count. It was their first league win over Villa since March 2016, ending a 13-game winless run.
Barry’s goal also breached one of the league’s strongest home records. Villa suffered only a second home league defeat in 29 matches. Their eight game Premier League home winning run came to an abrupt halt.
Villa remain third on 43 points, level with Manchester City but behind on goal difference. They face a testing away trip to Newcastle United next as the title race tightens. Before then, Unai Emery’s side will travel to Istanbul on Thursday to play Fenerbahce in Europe League. Everton, meanwhile, move within touching distance of the European places. David Moyes will hope this performance sparks greater consistency, especially with another demanding fixture list ahead that will see the Toffees play Leeds United, Brighton, Fulham and Bournemouth between now and 10th February.
