Aston Villa missed a chance to put pressure on Arsenal in the Premier League title race, losing 1-0 to Everton.
Arsenal will end the weekend seven points clear at the top of the table after Tierno Barry’s second-half goal was the spoils, breaking Villa’s 11-game winning streak at Villa Park.
Barry’s smart 59th-minute winner came from some defensive grunt from Pau Torres and a goalkeeping error from Emiliano Martinez.
Minutes before the opening goal there was a grisly controversy as James Garner, who had already been booked, appeared to cynically foul Morgan Rogers on the edge of the area, but the foul was disallowed.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Should James Garner have been sent off against Aston Villa?
It was a disjointed performance from Villa who lacked quality in the final third, although Evan Gesand hit the crossbar and an otherwise wasted Morgan Rodgers drew a fine save from Jordan Pickford.
Manager David Moyes will be relieved his side were able to get the job done after a controversial first-half goal by Jake O’Brien was ruled out after Harrison Armstrong was deemed to have interfered from an offside position.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
The Super Sunday team discuss why Jake O’Brien’s goal against Aston Villa was disallowed for offside.
Considering Everton’s heavy absences, this was a great result and an execution of Moyes’ game plan.
The Toffees are currently just four points behind city rivals Liverpool (currently fourth) and are also in contention for Europe.
Emery: We are not top five candidates
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Jamie Redknapp and Ashley Young were left baffled by Unai Emery’s post-match interview after Aston Villa’s defeat to Everton.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery told Sky Sports.
“We are not favorites yet. There are other teams that have more potential than us.
“We lost a very good opportunity. We have a lot of points. We have had a very good season so far. We will regain balance.”
Moyes: “A great victory”
Everton manager David Moyes told Sky Sports:
“It was great. It’s been a difficult week, but today they turned it around.
“We had Aston Villa and we weren’t at our best, but we put a lot of effort into finding a way to counter Villa.
“I knew if I didn’t do something there would be problems.It wasn’t easy coming here.
“We had our moments and they had theirs. Overall, I’m really happy.”
