Everton’s diminished return in front of goal is of greater concern to Sean Dyche at this juncture than their return to the relegation zone. The contrast with Aston Villa’s potency, and the options available to Unai Emery, was stark as the dominant Ollie Watkins and impactful Emi Buendía inflicted a first home defeat on the new Everton manager.
Emery had never lost four successive matches in his top flight managerial career. A combination of an incisive second-half display from Villa, ignited by their manager’s introduction of Buendía, and Everton’s predictable toothlessness ensured that blemish remained off the Spaniard’s polished CV.
