Premier League news: Aston Villa suffer title setback as Everton claim surprise 1-0 victory at Villa Park
Aston Villa’s hopes of tightening the Premier League title race were dealt a blow as Everton secured a 1-0 victory at Villa Park on Sunday to bring the home side’s impressive winning run to an end.
In front of a passionate crowd, it was Thierno Barry who made the difference, scoring the only goal of the game in the 59th minute following a lapse in Villa’s usually resolute defence.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Harrison Pearce reflects on the key moments from the game.
Villa’s struggles
Everton announced themselves with intent, hitting the woodwork within the first 12 seconds when Merlin Rohl’s effort rebounded off the post.
From there, Villa controlled possession and looked the more threatening outfit.
Despite sustained pressure from Unai Emery’s side, Villa couldn’t convert their chances before half-time, with Evann Guessand’s looping header crashing against the crossbar and Morgan Rogers failing to find the target on several occasions.
Their task was further complicated when captain John McGinn was forced off early through injury, weakening Villa’s midfield drive and leadership at a crucial stage.
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Decisive moment
The match-winning moment arrived in the second half after a rare defensive miscue.
Pau Torres’ loose pass was seized upon by Everton’s Dwight McNeil, whose shot was parried by Emiliano Martínez, only for Barry to react quickest and delicately chip the rebound into the net.
Despite Villa’s continued dominance in possession and a barrage of attempts to draw level, Everton stood firm.
Jordan Pickford produced a number of fine saves, including a stunning stop to deny Rogers, helping his side see out the slim advantage.
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Title implications
The result marked Villa’s second home defeat of the season and snapped their run of 11 consecutive wins at Villa Park across all competitions.
It also denied them the opportunity to narrow the gap to the league leaders.
As a result, Villa remain third in the Premier League, still chasing Arsenal and Manchester City at the top.
For Everton, the victory – their first league win at Villa Park in a decade – was a statement of intent and a boost in confidence as they sit in mid-table with aspirations of climbing further.
Everton manager David Moyes praised his team’s resilience and Barry’s decisive contribution, highlighting the discipline his side showed on the road.
On the other side, Villa boss Emery acknowledged the missed opportunity and pointed to the need for depth in his squad as injuries continue to bite.
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