Everton vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result and final score after Buendia heads home Digne’s corner

Follow all the latest reaction from Goodison Park after Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa beat Duncan Ferguson’s Everton

Emi Buendia on the ball for Villa (AP)

Everton are taking Aston Villa at Goodison Park this afternoon as the Toffees begin life after Rafa Benitez. The Spanish manager was sacked following a dismal run of results which have left them 16th in the Premier League with only five wins all season, and it is down to caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson to arrest the slide while the club searches for a permanent replacement.

Villa meanwhile are enjoying life under Steven Gerrard, and victory today would lift them into the top half of the table at least temporarily before this afternoon’s matches. The obvious sub-plot is Gerrard vs Ferguson, two legends of Liverpool and Everton respectively going head to head on Merseyside. “I was surprised and shocked Rafa wanted to go and have a go at that job, with his legacy and his relationship with Liverpool,” Gerrard said this week. “Big Dunc will take the reins for this game and it’s quite obvious what type of reaction he’ll get. We need to be ready for that.”

Follow all the reaction from the Premier League game at Goodison Park below.

Everton vs Aston Villa

• Everton: Pickford; Kenny, Mina (c), Holgate, Godfrey; Townsend, Doucoure, Gomes, Gray; Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison.
• Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings (c), Digne; McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Ramsey; Buendia, Watkins, Coutinho.
• GOAL! Buendia heads home Digne’s corner, Everton 0-1 Villa (45+2)

[22 January 2022 13:34 · Michael Jones]

Coming up...

There are three Premier League games kicking off at 3pm. We’ll be focussing on Manchester United versus West Ham but will have all the goal action from the other two games; Brentford vs Wolves and Leeds vs Newcastle.

Then at 5.30pm Southampton host Manchester City and will try to halt City’s march towards the Premier League title.

[22 January 2022 13:32 · Michael Jones]

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[22 January 2022 13:30 · Michael Jones]

Everton 0 - 1 Aston Villa

Everton didn’t have a shot in the first half although they worked the ball into some decent areas. It’s been a fairly even contest in the middle of the pitch but when Aston Villa have gotten the ball in and around Everton’s penalty area they’ve been a class above the home side.

[22 January 2022 13:27 · Michael Jones]

Everton 0 - 1 Aston Villa

Aston Villa picked up momentum towards the end of the half and earned their rewards. Ollie Watkins and Philippe Coutinho both had decent attempts but Emiliano Buendia is the one to open the scoring.

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

[22 January 2022 13:23 · Michael Jones]

Half-time: Everton 0 - 1 Aston Villa

45+3 mins: Aston Villa deal a blow to Everton right on the stroke of half-time to take a lead into the break. It’s been a close encounter between the teams but the visitors have squeezed in front.

Everton have been more disciplined and focussed over that 45 minutes but they need to find another gear in front of goal if they’re to get back into this game.

[22 January 2022 13:19 · Michael Jones]

GOAL! Everton 0 - 1 Aston Villa (Buendia, 45+2’)⚽️

45+2 mins: On the stroke of half-time! Pickford tips a shot from Philippe Coutinho over the bar and Villa win a corner in the last minute of added time. Lucas Digne swings the ball into the box and picks out Emiliano Buendia. He loops a header over towards the far side of the goal, Pickford gets a hand to it but can’t force the ball wide and it drops into the back of the net!

[22 January 2022 13:18 · Michael Jones]

Everton 0 - 0 Aston Villa

45 mins: What a save! World class stuff from Jordan Pickford to deny Ollie Watkins. A simple forward pass into the box plays Emiliano Buendia into the Everton box and he chips the ball over to Watkins. He’s found some space in the six-yard box and heads the ball down towards goal. Pickford reacts sharply and sticks out a right leg to stop the ball from crossing the line!

The crowd erupts in applause for the Everton goalkeeper but their excitement is tempered when the offside flag goes up against Watkins. It wouldn’t have counted even if he’d scored.

[22 January 2022 13:14 · Michael Jones]

Everton 0 - 0 Aston Villa

42 mins: Holgate attempts to switch the play but sends the ball out for an Aston Villa throw in. They don’t keep it for long as Everton win back the ball. It’s sent up the pitch and Tyrone Mings chases it down. Townsend sprints up to press up and Mings’ pass back to Martinez is sent out for a corner.

He breathes a sigh of relief though as Villa manage to defend the set piece without too much trouble.

[22 January 2022 13:10 · Michael Jones]

Everton 0 - 0 Aston Villa

39 mins: Chance! This is a big chance for Ollie Watkins! Tyrone Mings flicks a long ball into the box and Watkins makes another fine run in behind Yerry Mina. His first touch is perfect and it allows him to guide the ball around Pickford as the Everton goalkeeper charges at him. Watkins’ effort beats the goalkeeper but goes wide of the far post!

[22 January 2022 13:08 · Michael Jones]

Everton 0 - 0 Aston Villa

36 mins: After the quick tempo start to the match the game has developed into a rhythmic midfield battle with the occasional half-chance at either end. Villa manage to get a cross into the box from the left and Buendia gets a head to the bouncing ball but Holgate manages to get a block in.