Aston Villa picked up their first win of the season with a 2-1 win over Everton at Villa Park yesterday.
Steven Gerrard made changes to the side following the defeat at Bournemouth on the season’s opening weekend. Ollie Watkins came into partner Danny Ings as Leon Bailey dropped to the bench. Despite all the controversy around Tyrone Mings and Gerrard in the media throughout the week, the defender replaced Ezri Konsa in the back line.
Villa started brightly from kick-off and could have taken an early lead when Diego Carlos headed just over Jordan Pickford’s bar.
Against the run of play, the visitors had the ball in the net first through Anthony Gordon but it was ruled out following a VAR check for offside.
Shortly after, Villa had the ball in the back of the net. John McGinn found Watkins out wide who played a low ball across the box for Ings. The striker turned on the ball before unleashing a shot past England goalkeeper, Pickford.
Emi Buendia replaced Phillipe Countinho with 15 minutes left on the clock as Villa sought a second goal to kill the game. The Argentine added energy to the Villa side as the high temperatures were having an effect on the players.
The substitute soon got that much-needed second goal when he found Watkins, continued his run into the box and slotted home from close range.
The two-goal lead lasted a matter of minutes though when former Evertonian Luca Digne sent the ball into his own net.
It added some pressure late on but Villa was able to hang on to pick up all three points.
Major Blow
The one big blow for Villa was when Carlos was taken off late on with what looked like a serious injury. The £27.9million defender left Villa Park in a boot and on crutches.
Although unconfirmed at this stage, it is believed that the defender has ruptured his Achillies and could rule him out for the remainder of the season. Villa are said to already be planning on looking to recruit a replacement before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.