James Murray

Sun 20 August 2023 16:13, UK

A poor team performance ensured Everton were comfortably beaten 4-0 by Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday (20 August).

John McGinn put the hosts ahead on 18 minutes before Douglas Luiz scored from the penalty spot just six minutes later to ensure it was a long way back for the Toffees, with Leon Bailey notching a third and Jhon Duran slotting home a fourth after the break.

The Blues didn’t have a shot on target until the 45th minute through substitute Arnaut Danjuma, who came on to replace Dominic Calvert-Lewin eight minutes earlier after he picked up an eye injury.

Here, Goodison News rates the Everton players out of 10 for their performances in the Premier League fixture, with only Danjuma standing out in what was a disappointing display from pretty much the whole team.

Jordan Pickford – 2

It was a shocking afternoon for the England international given the high standards he sets for himself. The keeper’s decision to challenge Ollie Watkins was extremely rash for the penalty and he should’ve done better for the third goal that went through his legs. He made a couple of decent saves, but they were overshadowed by the glaring errors he made. Received a booking for time wasting before the penalty.

Nathan Patterson – 3

The right-back was by no means the worst Toffees defender, but he didn’t have a great game. The Scotsman gave ex-Blues left-back Lucas Digne far too much space as he was allowed to whip too many balls into the box without being challenged. Played one good ball in behind to Danjuma in the first half. He was booked late on.

Michael Keane – 2

Another disappointing performance at the back for Everton. The centre-back was poor from the off and struggled to deal with the threat of Watkins in behind. He made a shocking attempt to cut out a throw-in that led to the third goal and was nutmegged as Duran went through to score the fourth. The defender was another player booked.

James Tarkowski – 3

The Blues captain for the day didn’t lead his side very well as they fell to pieces in the first half and he didn’t inspire them after the break. He was slow to react to the first goal and didn’t have the best afternoon.

Ashley Young – 2

A shocking return to Villa Park for the former Villans man. The left-back was at fault for the first goal after giving Bailey too much space to get a cross in and threw a terrible throw back to Michael Keane that was intercepted by Duran before he went through on goal to score the fourth. Had a couple of bright moments attacking down the left in the first half, but didn’t offer much after the break.

James Garner – 4

The midfielder wasn’t great, but he was by no means the worst player in a blue shirt. He worked hard and tried to make things happen, but didn’t offer too much. Let his man go for the opening goal.

Idrissa Gueye – 2 (Off for Dobbin ’45)

A really poor afternoon for the experienced midfielder against his old club before being subbed off at half-time. He was well off the pace and was beaten a number of times in the middle of the park, while offering nothing going forwards. The Senegalese also picked up a yellow card for a late foul on McGinn.

Amadou Onana – 4

The midfielder was a bit of a passenger in the game and his performance fell well below his usual standards. While he wasn’t at fault for any of the goals, he would’ve liked to have had more of an impact.

Alex Iwobi – 3 (Off for Maupay ’51)

The attacker was largely ineffectual and was nowhere near his best, just a like a number of his teammates. Playing off the left-hand side, the Nigerian didn’t do enough defensively to help out Ashley Young. He didn’t get close enough to Calvert-Lewin while he was on the pitch and was subbed off himself just six minutes into the second half.

Abdoulaye Doucoure – 4 (Off for Onyango ’90+8)

Yet another Everton midfielder that had a disappointing afternoon. He didn’t really do anything in the game and didn’t seem to have much of the ball as he played behind the forward.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 4 (Off for Danjuma ’37)

The striker was largely isolated for pretty much the entire time he was on the pitch. He took a nasty knock to the eye early on following a clash with Emiliano Martinez and appeared to be struggling after that before being eventually replaced by Danjuma on 37 minutes. Didn’t really have any impact on the game, but it wasn’t his fault.

Arnaut Danjuma – 6 (On for Calvert-Lewin ’37)

The forward was the only player that looked capable of doing anything in an Everton shirt and can hold his head up high despite the defeat. He played up top before Neal Maupay came on and looked bright, with the Dutchman seeing one of his efforts saved by the feet of Martinez and another deflected just wide of the post.

Lewis Dobbin – 4 (On for Gueye ’45)

Didn’t really have much of an impact on the game despite playing a whole half. A tough game to get into.

Neal Maupay – 4 (On for Iwobi ’51)

The forward missed a big chance to get his side back into the game that he maybe should have scored after coming off the bench.

Tyler Onyango – N/A (On for Doucoure ’90+8)

In other Everton news, an update has emerged in the Blues’ pursuit of a Euro club’s forward.