From My Seat: Aston Villa (H)

The win was everything and from a display that just maybe suggest better things are ahead of us with a bit of better luck on the injury front.

It seems an age since we were last at Goodison but whether it is short or long breaks the room of nonsense is buzzing and it’s as if you have hardly been away. Banter similar to that proffered on ToffeeWeb (without the overly negative bits) and to my eye and ear most assembled would take a win no matter what. Name your own preference of team selection, formation of play and tactics so long as three points are the reward for 96 minutes' work.

To this end the team as displayed via Twitter, etc certainly perked up fans and taught many a lesson to never take notice of what might be published in news print, websites or indeed managers' press conferences as players regarded as doubtful were named and players given a clean bill of health and raring to go were not. The chat now turned to who was fully fit or who might last beyond the hour mark, as well as who the manager was taking a chance on. I just hoped manager, medics and players had got it right.

The walk up was a touch subdued for such a large contingent but whoever you spoke to or caught a snatch of conversation nothing mattered more than getting our first win at home under our belts. The Fan-Zone was doing well and the fat van competing well against the food on offer in the Zone. Goodison Road was awash with fans and many a number taking a digital image of the great ‘HolyTrinity’ looking down from the gable of the main stand. Being ’Retro Day’ the fans had responded well in their choice of attire.

Z-Cars brought a noisy welcome for the team only to be followed by that dirge that accompanies the useless pre-match handshakes and flattens the atmosphere.

We lost the toss and defended with the sun in our eyes and at kick off I noted how those selected lined up in ‘Retro’ fashion that went back to the sixties line up of Alf Ramsey and the wingless wonders. Would it work? Well as the whistle went at the command of our man in the middle Anthony Taylor we were about to find out.

Right away spirits were lifted as Barkley with a couple of direct runs as well as two astute passes had Oohs and Aaars ringing around the ground. Although Villa had defeated those across the Park they had not won in their last four so a concerted effort may well be expected but our play was soon in the ascendancy. Still passing about at the back but with more assuredness than of late and with Coleman and McCarthy back and Baines and Naismith looking sharp. Barry was able to get to grips with his midfield role and orchestrate a quicker pace of pass from back to front. We were looking good but the crowd were edgy and only a goal or two would calm them.

Barkley was now running at their defence with purpose and some delightful touches had the crowd purring as we got into their box in better fashion than previous games.

A good first 20 minutes threatened without netting then Barkley in the area hit one with little back lift on target and the keeper did well to palm it away for a corner. Baines took it short and exchanged passes with Barry and with his right foot put in a cross that was headed home and the wild celebrations by fans had more than a touch of relief thrown in. From the congratulations of team mates and a rerun on the big screen it was clear that our scorer was the England international Jagielka. He is becoming a scoring machine for club and country!

Villa lost centre back Baker to injury but did have a couple of efforts that either just missed the target or were safely gathered by Howard who from the off looked in better shape today.

Barkley was causing more trouble as the half wore on and the rust was dropping away as his confidence built. Villa tried a couple of kicks at him but he rode them well and continued playing with a swagger that has been missing whilst he has been side-lined. Barry had a good hold of the mid-field allowing McCarthy to work box to box with lung bursting foray’s that enabled Naismith and Osman to cause concern.

Lukaku again looking like a man just not up to his swashbuckling powerhouse best but you could see he was trying and to be fair it was the Belgian who created the chance for Jags by attacking Baines cross and taking defenders with him leaving Jags just to time his diving header and net.

As half time approached Barkley was at it again when he was fed by the excellent Barry and set up Coleman with a cute pass that the Irishman took on at pace and brought a fine save from the Villa keeper.

H/T 1-0. The half time chat could be summed up in a short sentence. ‘We need another goal and a clean sheet’ such was the desire for three points.

Just a few minutes after half time Barkley again got on the ball and showed power and guile as fed in Lukaku who brushed his marker off and from inside the box hit one that seemed to lack venom but went under the keeper’s body and trundled home. The keeper at fault no doubt and I shudder to think what fans may have said had that been our Tim. However I am hopeful it can kick-start Lukaku’s season as for the rest of the half he chased and harried and sought the ball far better than in games now going back to last season.

As the half wore on we got a fright when the returning Benteke finally showed a bit of class as he won the ball shot and hit the bar and netted the rebound but thankfully our ref had spotted a foul so no goal. Phew.

Villa fans who filled their end had been in boisterous mood and questioned our support for the team amongst some other stereotyping material that opposing fans have for Scousers. Well they were now getting it back in spades as we reminded them that we only sing when we’re winning.

Naismith was again putting in a shift and a half which was not lost on those assembled and his willingness to show for the ball along with his chasing and harrying helped no end as Villa tried to press high and disrupt the passing at the back and maybe force a mistake. Osman was doing well in what could be described as a sort of roaming left sided role but his contribution was meaningful.

Just after the hour mark the manager decided that Barkley had done enough on his comeback and swapped him for Pienaar. Both players got very good receptions. Pienaar quickly got in on the act and showed good vision by threading one through for Naismith who headed for goal in his usual determined fashion and was brought down from behind, ref waved play on, most thought a pen was warranted. Lukaku then came to life again and went on a run that saw him floored on left edge of the area. He took the free kick and hit the wall. Shame that.

The Villa crowd were quiet now and the game started to peter out as their team seemed to accept their fate but late on they did rally a little and Naismith got booked for his method of halting a Villa attack and Howard did well to gather a couple of shots cleanly. Everton attacked when they could considering being mindful of a clean sheet and Lukaku tried a long diagonal for Pienaar who was in acres but alas it was to strong and went for a throw leaving Lukaku to beat the air and his head in frustration.

The clock was ticking down when the quick thinking Osman took a quick free kick that released Baines to get to the by-line , look up and cross for the inrushing Coleman to do what all the best strikers do and got across his man and netted. Scenes of jubilation took place and songs of joy resounded. That was it all over, we knew it and they knew it. Just time for Naismith to come off to a crescendo that dripped with admiration for his performance and Eto’o had a couple of minutes on the pitch.

Final whistle and ‘Grand old team’ rang out but the game ended as it started fan-wise, a bit flat, as the win was everything and from a display that just maybe suggest better things are ahead of us with a bit of better luck on the injury front.

M.O.tM -- Many contenders today, Naismith may be a popular choice but for me Barry. He orchestrated almost everything that allowed those that can to do. Even the Villa fans stopped booing him.

Overall a good day out in good company that had us wondering how the manager will approach Lille on Thursday. Not too far to travel and then Burnley next Sunday which on paper should not be difficult but I remember only too well going there the last time they were in the prem. and don’t want reminding of the result. I hear we have gone up the table after today but I have no real interest until after a meaningful amount of games have been played. My first glance will be just before Christmas as the table does not change dramatically after then.

Still onward and upward

UP THE BLUES

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