Doubles from Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku have inspired Everton to a 4-0 thrashing over a hapless Aston Villa at Goodison Park on Saturday.
The hosts bossed proceedings from the outset, with the attacking trio of Lukaku (28’, 59’), Barkley (17’, 42’) and Gerard Deulofeu the stars of the show. Villa never had an answer to the unstoppable Toffees as new boss Remi Garde’s problems were compounded; the visitors’ performance echoed their current predicament.
It was Barkley who opened the scoring after some delightful interplay with Deulofeu, tapping into an empty net at the far post. Villa appeared compact through the middle in the early stages but were sliced open with ease on this occasion.
Lukaku then doubled the lead after a perfectly-weighted cross from Seamus Coleman found him in the area. The Belgian headed across goal to find the far corner and beat a stranded Brad Guzan.
Attacking midfielder Barkley secured his brace shortly before half time. Shoddy defending allowed Arouna Kone in behind, with the Villans unable to clear their lines. The Ivorian’s hustling allowed Barkley the opportunity to dispatch the loose ball into an empty net.
The barrage was completed by Lukaku a quarter of an hour after half time. Barkley’s inch-perfect pass parted the Villa back line, allowing for the Belgian to easily stroke into the net.
The Midlands club still lies at the foot of the table with only five points while the Blues move up to seventh, level on points with Southampton and Liverpool.
Formations
Despite concerns, young defender Brendan Galloway was passed fit and kept his place at left full-back. That allowed for the entirety of the lineup to be unchanged from the one that drew with West Ham United prior to the international break.
Everton XI (4-2-3-1): Howard (GK); Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Galloway; McCarthy, Barry; Barkley, Deulofeu, Kone; Lukaku.
Jordan Amavi’s season-ending knee injury, acquired on international duty, forced Garde to make a change at left-back, drafting in experienced Englishman Kieran Richardson. Elsewhere, Scott Sinclair and Carlos Sanchez dropped to the bench, replaced by Jack Grealish and fit-again Ashley Westwood.
Aston Villa XI (4-3-3): Guzan (GK); Hutton, Richards, Clark, Richardson; Veretout, Westwood, Gueye; Gil, Ayew, Grealish.
Quick football opens up deep-lying Villa
It did not take long for Everton to put their foot down, with the opening 15 minutes or so, among other periods, dominated entirely by them. Villa seemed content to sit back in an attempt to frustrate the Toffees and the home fans early.
This tactic appeared to be working, with Martinez’s men unable to significantly threaten Guzan’s goal in this period. There were a few murmurs of frustration coming from the stands and the Villans appeared to be holding their own, at least through the central areas.
Their hard work was undone in an instant, however, with some dynamic Everton play cutting through Villa like a hot knife through butter. After building through the centre, James McCarthy spread the play out to a man who would prove to have a crucial influence, Deulofeu, who played an excellent ball across the face that was easily finished by Barkley.
Villa did not seem to recover from this and looked wafer-thin thereafter, with the hosts’ third goal in particular putting an exclamation mark on their defensive frailties. Barkley was dangerously given license to encroach on the area, succeeded by Lukaku being allowed to loop a ball over to Kone, who snuck in behind from the right. Three Villa defenders and Guzan could not clear the ball even after multiple attempts, with Barkley continuing into the box to stroke home.
The icing fourth, too, came as a result of Deulofeu charging down the centre on the counter, with Barkley laying off a defence-splitting ball between the centre-halves. Lukaku took full advantage.
Everton were all right
A point of great promise for Evertonians is the partnership that appears to be forming between right-sided partners Coleman and Deulofeu. The duo looks to be becoming more and more accustomed to the game of the other and its effectiveness was evident, albeit against a weakened Villa left-hand side.
This flank has been and continues to be a strength of Everton’s, so it would come as no surprise if Martinez set about targeting this side of the pitch, particularly with Amavi absent. Deulofeu proved to be one of the best players on the pitch in an on-song performance reminiscent of his effort at the Emirates two seasons ago. He would likely have been man of the match if not for the brilliance of fellow forwards Barkley and Lukaku.
The Blues attempted eight crosses from the right versus only two on the left, including one assist courtesy of Coleman.
Barry, deep opposition affords McCarthy freedom
It is not such a rarity for the Ireland international to venture forward, but on this occasion McCarthy was able to spend more time slightly further up the pitch. The deeper-lying Gareth Barry, combined with Everton’s dominance and Villa’s depth, allowed the versatile midfielder to further press the Villans midfield.
McCarthy had an important hand in the Toffees’ opening goal, passing out to Deulofeu from the top of the area, and having him move forward alongside Barkley is an excellent option for Martinez when his side is dictating play and looking to make its dominance count.
Conclusion – Everton
The Merseysiders were able to cap a dominant performance in a match they were expected to win with style, scoring four goals of the highest quality following exhilarating football. Martinez will be delighted his men were able to break down a Villa side that was always likely to travel to Goodison with an intent to defend ahead of a match next weekend that could have a similar feel to it – against lowly AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Conclusion – Aston Villa
Where to now for the new manager? After two games, he faces his biggest challenge at Aston Villa, a club that has hit rock bottom. His side played like one set to be relegated and it is looking like that will become a reality in May if he cannot galvanise his troops, and quickly. The January transfer window cannot come around quickly enough for Villa.
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