Kealan Hughes

Sun 2 May 2021 13:05, UK

Sky Sports journalist Ron Walker criticised Mason Holgate after his costly error handed Aston Villa the opening goal against Everton.

The goal proved crucial as Villa won 2-1, and Walker could not understand what Holgate was trying to do in the build-up to his mistake.

The defender received the ball in his own defensive final third without pressure from an opponent, but he dawdled and allowed Watkins to pinch the ball off him, and the striker was then left with an easy run on goal to score.

Providing analysis on the match for Sky Sports, Walker said, “Some goals you can point to a tactical error or some poor positioning but it’s just a really bad decision by Holgate, and Watkins takes full advantage.”

Big picture

It is easy to get carried away when a defender makes a mistake, particularly when it was as sloppy and avoidable as Holgate’s.

But it is worth looking at the bigger picture, and the 24-year-old’s consistent displays this season.

He has been brilliant at times, including last week’s win against Arsenal and the famous win at Anfield a few months ago.

It is easy to criticise him but we are sure he will come back stronger and learn from the error.

He has to if he wants to keep his place in the side, as Yerry Mina and Michael Keane will be ready to take his place.

Having a go at Holgate also glosses over the bigger problems we have.

We have been terrible at home, particularly since Christmas, and there is an underlying issue of not being able to score goals.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored against Villa but that was his second goal in his last eight games.

He has not got worse overnight, it is an issue of lacking creativity and attacking ideas – that must be addressed quickly.

In other Everton news, the Toffees have joined the race to sign a ‘World class’ record-breaker and are ready to pay big signing-on fee.

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