Overview
- Thierno Barry scored in the 59th minute, lifting in the rebound after Pau Torres miscontrolled and Emiliano Martínez parried Dwight McNeil’s shot.
- Everton had a first-half goal disallowed by VAR, with Jake O’Brien’s header chalked off for offside interference by Harrison Armstrong.
- Jordan Pickford preserved the lead with late saves as both teams hit the woodwork, including Everton after 11 seconds and Evann Guessand’s header off the bar.
- John McGinn departed with a knee injury around the 18th minute, further stretching a Villa midfield already missing key players.
- The result leaves Villa third, seven points behind leaders Arsenal, while Everton rise to 10th and record their first league win at Villa Park in almost a decade.