Everton produced a superb performance to beat Aston Villa on Sunday, with the result taking the Toffees into the top half in the Premier League.
Everton won 1-0 courtesy of a fine goal by Thierno Barry at Villa Park, and it is undoubtedly one of the results of the season all things considered.
David Moyes’ side rocked up with a number of key players missing, and with Villa having won 11 home games in a row.
What a win! Everton fans, who was your Man of the Match against Aston Villa?
So many great performances 🔥
But the visitors were bang at it from the first whistle, and Everton fully deserved the three points.
Here are a few takeaways from Sunday’s amazing win for Everton.
- READ MORE: Everton player ratings vs Aston Villa, Thierno Barry one of four 8/10s in big win for David Moyes
Patience is a virtue as Thierno Barry finds form at last
It has been a largely tricky spell for Thierno Barry at Everton so far, but just lately he has shown signs of genuine improvement.
And his performance against Villa may well have been his best since he joined from Villarreal. Not only was his goal superbly taken, but he was such a handful, and won countless aerial duels for his side.
He has been criticised, and some of that has been warranted at times.
But he was always going to need time to bed in, being a young striker coming to the Premier League from overseas. Moyes still reiterates that message now.
It’s now three goals in four for Barry, and we’re finally starting to see the exciting player Everton felt they’d signed in the summer.
Harrison Armstrong is good enough to remain at Everton
Harrison Armstrong was brought back to Everton at the start of January to provide cover, and a big decision is now looming for Moyes.
Moyes had wanted to send Armstrong back to Preston North End to continue his loan.
But the teenager has come into this Everton side and seized his opportunity with both hands in the absence of Idrissa Gana Gueye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Has Harrison Armstrong done enough to stay at Everton? 🤔
Armstrong had his biggest audition yet against Villa, and he passed the test with flying colours, with Moyes praising the Everton gem after the game.
He just looked totally at home in the Everton midfield, and hopefully this will convince Moyes to keep him around, rather than let him return to Preston.
Jake O’Brien is a proper centre-back
Jake O’Brien has largely played as a right-back since Moyes came in – but that is something that now needs to stop.
Yes, he’s had some good outings in that position and he deserves credit for that.
But O’Brien was immense against Villa on Sunday, and has had other solid showings this season when playing in his natural centre-back position, such as against Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest. Everton have now kept clean sheets on all three occasions O’Brien has played in the middle this season.
The suspension of Michael Keane has allowed him to slot in next to James Tarkowski, with Nathan Patterson playing at right-back and doing a great job.
Against Villa, the backline looked as solid as ever, and hopefully this will prompt Moyes to keep O’Brien in the middle where he is most effective.
David Moyes shouldn’t be doubted
Moyes came in for criticism last week following that defeat to Sunderland, which came on the back of the draw with Wolves and loss to Brentford.
Yes it was a poor start to 2026, but the questioning of Moyes from some on social media was strange.
While there have been some disappointing results, he’s had to manage without many key players and it’s been difficult for him to find the right solutions.
But the Everton performance against Villa was just a reminder of Moyes’ quality as a Premier League manager. It was truly a remarkable performance from the team given the circumstances, and that’s down to the manager.
The Toffees, in their situation, had no right taking three points against a red-hot opponent. As Alan Shearer said, it was a tactical masterclass from the Scot.
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