Everton 0-1 Aston Villa: Watkins hands Moyes losing start to second spell at Goodison Park

Ollie Watkins’ second-half strike ensured David Moyes’ second stint at Everton began with a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa.

Following Sean Dyche’s departure, the Scotsman returned to Goodison Park this week – just under 12 years after his successful first spell came to an end with him leaving for Manchester United.

But unlike his initial tenure, he could not begin his second with a victory, with Watkins sealing all three points for Villa early in the second half.

The England international raced onto Morgan Rogers’ throughball and beat Jordan Pickford to end a run of five successive away league defeats for Unai Emery’s side.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin squandered a golden opportunity to equalise when he fired over in stoppage time, as Villa held on to climb a place to seventh and within three points of the top four.

Meanwhile, Everton remain 16th and just a point clear of the relegation zone.

Three points on Merseyside#EVEAVL pic.twitter.com/bOqKeQSY0p

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 15, 2025

Data Debrief: An unhappy homecoming for Moyes

After overseeing the last Everton match of his first spell 11 years and 241 days earlier, Moyes was back at Goodison Park for the first match of his second stint in charge.

However, it was not a happy homecoming for the Scotsman, whose new side failed to score for the ninth time in 11 Premier League games.

Emery’s side took advantage to secure their first away league win since October, and 10th on the road against Everton – their highest tally against any opponent in the division.

Villa have now won both of their first two Premier League games of a calendar year for the first time since 2009.