Season › 2024-25 › News Everton 0 - 1 Aston Villa [L] Michael Kenrick 15/01/2025 60comments | Jump to last Latest [55'] David Moyes faces his first test as the new Everton manager with the visit of Aston Villa to Goodison Park under the lights on Wednesday night. But no real surprises in his first-team selection, with the welcome addition of Martin Sherif from the U21s on the bench. A number of senior players, including Armando Broja, with no more news on his injured ankle. Dwight McNeil is still injured while James Garner, Tim Iroegbunam and Youssef Chermiti are back in training but have yet to make the subs bench. Everton kicked off but avoided the long punt upfield, although they still surrendered possession. Onana strode forward and took the fist shot, deflecting off Tarkowski for an early corner headed clear strongly by Young. But somehow the ball fell to Rogers and he was able to test Pickford, who parried for another corner. Article continues below video content Tarkowski headed the second corner behind; Harrison headed clear the third. But it was gifted to Onana again and he shot wide. Not a wholly auspicious start. Everton tried to build down the right but it broke down and Everton allowed the Villa players to storm forward, Tieleman's shot was blocked brilliantly by Tarkowski – and it needed to be. Onana took out Gana for an early yellow card. Villa threatened to shoot again as Everton struggled to break out until Ndiaye found Doucocure but Calvert-Lewin had strayed offside. Ndiaye was rewarded with a free-kick when he seemed to have run into trouble, playing more centrally. Young's free-kick was very poor, easily cleared. Harrison and Doucoure linked well down the right, his cross deflected for an Everton corner, taken by Harrison. It came out to Gueye whose sliced volley struck a defender on its way wide. Young made a horrible error playing the ball perfectly for Watkins but he turned the ball wide of both Pickford and the goal. What a let-off! Mangala intercepted a ponderous build by Villa, but Everton could not build anything themselves. Harrison gave Villa another corner, but it was defended well. There was very little pressing when Villa had the ball, which was most of the time. Good work by Branthwaite foiled a quick Villa counter and the ball was played up to Calvert-Lewin, who controlled it well off his chest but scuffed the shot wide from a broadening angle. A good spell of determined play roused the crowd momentarily but Everton could not keep possession. Villa countered Mykolenko stopping Rogers but Young then fouled Tielemans for a threatening set-piece from Lucas Digne… straight into the jumping Everton wall. A deep and somewhat wayward cross from Mykolenko was put behind by Digne, Harrison's corner not too bad but The Blues were offside when it was recycled. A quick move started by Young saw Mykolenko cross behind the line but Docucoure's smart fick didn't have enough pace to beat Martinez. Villa countered, Kamara forcing a low save from Pickford. Another horrid giveaway needed firm rearguard action to stop Villa from profiting. A long ball up the right wing saw Calvert-Lewin battling with two defenders. Young forced another corner but it was cleared. A stuttering move saw the ball drop to Calvert-Lewin 8 yards out but his awkward shot boobled toward the line where it was easily cleared. At the other end, Rodgers drove in but the shot was blocked, falling to Ramsey who had to score... but his shot flashed inches wide and the half ended goalless. Harrison concedeed an early free-kick after the restart, Mykolenko heading it out. The throw-in came through to Ramsey who scooped it over the bar. Mings tripped and caught Calvert-Lewin as he advanced on the ball but nothing in it really. Some great pressing high up almost paid off but a loose ball played back by Branthwaite set Villa going and Waltkins simply slotted home under Pickford. Gana was booked for a poor challenge on Kamara, then Onana held back Mangala for what should have been his second yellow card but inexplicably not. Ndiaye got forward and put in a good cross but Calvert-Lewin was the wrong side of not one but two defenders. The corner was whipped in straight to Martinez with lots of wrestling in the goal area. Everton: Pickford [Y:56], Young, Mykolenko, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Gueye [Y:53'], Mangala, Harrison, Doucoure, Ndiaye, Calvert-Lewin. Subs: Virgina, Begovic, Patterson, Keane, Beto, O'Brien, Lindstrøm, Armstrong, Sherif. Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, Onana [Y:8'], Ramsey, Tielemans, Rogers, Watkins. Subs: Olsen, Gauci, Nedeljkovic, Bogarde, Maatsen, Bailey, Buendia, Jimoh-Aloba, Duran. Live Forum Reader Comments (60) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () Paul Ferry 1 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:20:53 Oh dear. More or less exactly the team that I did not want to see. Harrison! Doucoure!COYB! George Cumiskey 2 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:21:27 Can't believe he's gone with Harrison and Doucouré OMG 😱 George Cumiskey 3 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:22:47 And he's got two goalies on the bench, what's happening ????? Pete Ellingham 4 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:23:57 They will play completely differently under him than Dyche. Hopefully! Paul Ferry 5 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:23:58 Dave Lynch. I was posting at the exact time that MK switched threads to say no need for that mate. I don't doubt you (although that's not my place). Enjoy the match! Sam Hoare 6 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:24:06 Predicted this sort of lineup earlier. Moyes is pretty risk averse so no big surprise to see Patterson and Armstrong not trusted yet.What I hope may change is some of the patterns of play, allowing a bit more width, getting the full backs forward more frequently. Lets see. Mark Frere 7 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:24:11 Would've like to have seen Lindstrom in Doucoure's position behind DCL. Brendan Fox 8 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:24:46 Cowardly team selection by Moyes Paul Ferry 9 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:25:02 Well said Pete. That's certainly what I am hoping too. Perhaps Dyche picked the team???? Mike Hayes 10 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:25:18 No shake up here - can only think he wants to see what shite Dyche had to put up with and if he can polish the turds 💩💩💙 George Cumiskey 11 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:26:08 Did Dyche send him the team sheet ???? Annika Herbert 12 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:27:57 Well that team selection should make all the difference Mike Hayes 13 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:28:23 When we win Dyche will claim it was his team - surprised he didn’t claim the cup win as his 🥳💙 Dave Lynch 14 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:29:34 @ Paul Ferry 9That "rumour" re Tom Canno is on X apparently formerly known as twitter.On evertonnewsfeed...all one word.There is a thumbnail picture of Tom applauding, open that and that is it. Shaun Parker 15 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:30:07 I think this selection shows what a really really poor squad we have.Have to say I'm disappointed with the team selected.Any hope and optimism has gone out the window.How many wins do we need to stay up? 8?? Paul Ferry 16 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:30:36 Cheers Dave! Enjoy the match! Mike Allison 17 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:32:19 7 should do it Shaun, especially with another 2 draws.Disappointing team selection but no surprise really. The attitude and use of the ball will be the big thing. Pete Ellingham 18 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:35:21 I wish I was at the game tonight- I am sure the atmosphere is going to be electric- COYB! Rob Hooton 19 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:36:01 I think I've figured it out. Under the strict PSR guidelines, we can't really afford to be profligate and print a new team sheet every week, so we give the same one out and collect them after the match.Uninspiring; let's see what unfolds. Hope the players are all up for it!! John Graham 20 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:36:17 No change there then.Let's hope he's given them some attacking freedom or it's a total waste of time changing the manager. Billy Shears 21 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:36:37 Hardly the most inspiring team selection but a chance for the usual suspects to shine for once! Derek Knox 22 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:37:53 I know choices were limited but expected to see a different team selection. I just hope the usual culprits start to play! Neil Lawson 23 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:37:59 Disappointingly underwhelming. Steve Cotton 24 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:38:31 What team did you all expect?? He's only go so many players! If we get battered, then we can complain.Anyway, great news our new signing will be Tom Cannon – the guy we just let go! You couldn't make it up. Mike Price 25 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:39:00 How can another manager and set of coaches not see that Mykolenko is completely useless?It's the team that Dyche would have picked; it's got to play differently or this will turn toxic very quickly. Dave Lynch 26 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:40:00 No problem Paul.Here's to a win... Clive Rogers 27 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:40:41 I can only see that team losing tonight. Mihir Ambardekar 28 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:43:22 Scared to see Doucoure, Harrison and Mykolenko in the team. We will lose this one unless we play differently. I'm hoping to see a good game. Shaun Parker 29 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:45:00 At least we cannot drop into the Bottom 3 tonight. Izzy Selwyn 30 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:47:10 There is nothing on the bench for him to use.I suspect if he sees the same dross from Duocoure, he will bring on Lindstrom and maybe move Ndiaye to the Number 10.Let's see if he does anything before the 70th minute though. Paul Ferry 31 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:49:57 Izzy Selwyn @31: "There is nothing on the bench for him to use."That's rubbish, Izzy. Ian Wilkins 32 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:52:11 There is not a lot of choice until a few return from injury and we add a couple this transfer window. I think Mykolenko is having a poor time but the alternative is the 40-year-old Young out of position. The alternative to Harrison is Lindstrom. Hardly inspiring. This is what we have. It's what we do with it that matters. Michael Lynch 33 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:54:50 I'm assuming it will take Moyes a good few weeks to get a grip of the job, particularly as he has so few options in the squad. He'll have to stay strong, because – judging from this place – some fans are going to be on his back from day one.Leon Osman said on the BBC that we could well lose the next three games, and he's right. For me, the turnaround needs to start on 1 February at home to Leicester. Any points gained between now and then are a bonus. Izzy Selwyn 34 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:55:05 Paul Ferry 32: what team would you put out from today's squad? Bill Gienapp 35 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:55:17 I've seen enough – #MoyesOut(Just kidding, but yeah – if fortune favors the bold, then our league position is no surprise!) Martin Berry 36 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:56:25 Hopefully Jimmy, Timmy, Dwighty and Yousefy back by February, plus a couple of new players.Then I think we have a good month with the Manager having a lot more to look at and choose accordingly.This team may yet surprise with the "bounce" in the meantime? David West 37 Posted 15/01/2025 at 18:58:57 Pretty predictable line-up. You can kind of understand he doesn't want to get beat. First game and that! Hope Armstrong gets a chance at some point. There is a case for playing 3 at the back to improve our width but Mykolenko isn't the best going forward and young doesn't have the legs he used to. A Reaction from the players would be nice, I'd demand it if I was one of the senior players. Let's show Dyche we are decent footballers capable of stringing passes together. Intriguing to see if it goes long as much as usual. Paul Ferry 39 Posted 15/01/2025 at 19:15:36 Izzy, you were talking specifically about the bench. Why are you shifting the goalposts? Bill Gall 40 Posted 15/01/2025 at 19:15:37 Well it was not as exactly suspected, but with the short period he has been here there is not really many for him to make radical changes. It may look a strong team but strength is no substitute for skill. Edward Rogers 41 Posted 15/01/2025 at 19:16:09 Got to get a grip of Tielemans, always does well against us. Iain Johnston 42 Posted 15/01/2025 at 19:18:29 Who did you expect him to pick? Moyes didn't bring a midfielder or a winger with him and the options are injured. Izzy Selwyn 43 Posted 15/01/2025 at 19:20:38 Paul 40, np, I meant that the bench looks so weak, that there wasn't much he could do to make the team much stronger from that bench. Sorry, if I was misunderstood. Ernie Baywood 44 Posted 15/01/2025 at 19:20:48 I wouldn't say I'm shocked - we discussed on the pre match thread that he probably wouldn't change too much and the intent was probably more important than the personnel. But I must admit the selection has lowered the mood a bit. It's hard to see how the intent can change that much when we still have the same slow paced full backs.Anyway. Goodison under the lights with a new(ish) manager in place. COYB! Brendan Fox 45 Posted 15/01/2025 at 19:21:24 Maybe try something different to Dyche in terms of personnel or is this just Moyes way of trying to prove he can get a different tune out of the same players? Uninspiring and borderline stupidity to expect different results with the same team that got Dyche the tin tack Paul Ferry 46 Posted 15/01/2025 at 19:21:35 That's not actually true Iain. Colin Metcalfe 47 Posted 15/01/2025 at 19:21:48 Some real poor players in that team, you can dress it up all you want and change tactics but the bottom line is we have very few decent Premier League players – they are just not good enough. We are going to need a big effort and a big slice of luck to get anything out of tonight's game; let's just hope the Villains are off the pace tonight. Brendan Fox 48 Posted 15/01/2025 at 19:26:06 Just seems so illogical to not try a different formation with a couple of different players thrown into the mixer. Harrison is not nor will ever be a right-winger; if you have to play him, play him on the left and play Patterson on the right. Ndiaye is not a winger so push him behind Dom and drop Doucoure, who has stunk the gaff out for a while now.Do something different to try to change the outcome. Alan J Thompson 49 Posted 15/01/2025 at 19:26:54 I didn't expect wholesale changes but I thought that Armstrong had shown enough for Baines and Coleman to recommend him and while it's good to see another youngster on the bench are two keepers of tactical importance? The more things change, eh. Joe McMahon 50 Posted 15/01/2025 at 19:28:40 Alan, agreed. Patterson also. Michael Kenrick 51 Posted 15/01/2025 at 19:31:31 Well, Rossi got that all wrong, fast asleep at the wheel at the moment of the Second Coming! Robert Tressell 52 Posted 15/01/2025 at 19:31:46 Brave and imaginative line up. A new era of adventure starts tonight! COYB Shaun Parker 53 Posted 15/01/2025 at 20:20:16 For the life of me WHY is Ashley Young on the pitch.!!!!He offers Nothing.All our errors come from him.All he does is pass it back.Get him off.Get rid of him. Oliver Molloy 54 Posted 15/01/2025 at 20:20:43 Thank goodness Villa have been as bad as us first half – is all I can say! Kevin Molloy 55 Posted 15/01/2025 at 20:21:25 Not bad. Still in it, starting to learn again how to attack, riding our luck against a good side. Entertaining half. Ernie Baywood 56 Posted 15/01/2025 at 20:22:51 You can see changes. The main one is the team playing further up the pitch meaning the press has more impact (but more risk). Other than that, there's probably a bit of a bounce in the players. They've worked their socks off and not just in defence.More crosses than we've seen in a long time and we've had chances. We've conceded a few chances too, though. The player limitations just don't go away though. That first head of steam dissipated with a poor infield pass from Mykolenko and two cheap concessions of possession by Harrison – all 3 leading to shots and corners. Then we had Young's brainfart.Some positives. Hopefully we do see some changes too. Alan J Thompson 57 Posted 15/01/2025 at 20:23:18 A promising half and the midfield is getting forward in support of Calvert-Lewin more than we've seen previously but there is still little telling runs or precise balls into the opposition's penalty area while the best through ball all night was Young putting Watkins away.And Mykolenko has shown he can cross a ball now that we have players in there to cross to but Harrison has done little other than hog the right touchline. We have seen Calvert-Lewin have a couple of chances but the ball just wouldn't drop right at the most important moment.Encouraging. Mike Hayes 58 Posted 15/01/2025 at 20:27:34 Can only suspect Moyes has picked a Dyche type team to see for himself who’s shit and who’s not, then work from there.It’s like an assessment of those fit and available. Not much of a new manager bounce as yet - do Everton players do that? Fingers crossed for us pulling off a win for a change. It’s times like this you want the next match ASAP to see who’s in and who’s out and how the game plays out Ciarán McGlone 59 Posted 15/01/2025 at 20:32:49 Hot tub time machine starring Davey Moyes. Mike Hayes 60 Posted 15/01/2025 at 20:38:17 It had to happen ffs 😡 Ernie Baywood 61 Posted 15/01/2025 at 20:52:01 How obvious would a push in the box need to be? 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