Arnaut Danjuma surprise stand-out as Dominic Calvert-Lewin has miserable day – Everton player ratings vs Aston Villa at Goodison Park
Everton halted their losing streak with a battling goalless draw with Aston Villa at Goodison Park on Sunday (14 January).
The Toffees made the better start but it took a long VAR review to rule out an Alex Moreno strike for offside, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed a guilt-edged chance late in the half as Emi Martinez kept him out when clean through thanks to Arnaut Danjuma.
A scrappy second period saw tempers flare without much football being played by either side, but a committed Everton defence and midfield fought hard for a clean sheet and while the returning Abdoulaye Doucouré also had the ball in the net late on he was flagged offside.
Here, Goodison News rates the Everton players out of 10 for their performances against Aston Villa.
Jordan Pickford – 7
Won’t have been pleased to get beaten from range by Moreno and his willingness to repeatedly sprint from his goal suggested an abundance of nervous energy but still made a multiple important saves.
Seamus Coleman – 7
On the day where he became the record Everton appearance-maker the captain had his hands full down the right but held his own in a tight game where Ashley Young would have been a prime candidate for a red card.
James Tarkowski – 7
Clearly up for a battle. Strong showing before the break as the Toffees just about held everything together at the back. Came through a facial injury in first half and a clash of heads with his teammate after the interval. Was taking no prisoners as he crashed into Moussa Diaby with an important challenge in the box, and then again on Moreno later on, although left the door open on occasion when he stepped up out of defence to meet advancing attacks.
Jarrad Branthwaite – 7
So important in the air and knocked away various threatening balls. Like Tarkowski he was beaten at times when he pushed up to meet Villa forays forward but for the most part he looked composed defensively when repelling attacks from deep, and played a key role in an admirable defensive showing from Sean Dyche’s side.
Vitalii Mykolenko – 7
Sharp work at the back as he kept it tight down his flank. Received a gashed head in a clash with Tarkowski early in the second period but continued to do a solid job and put in a crucial late block to deny Matty Cash.
James Garner – 6
Energetic display from the start which saw him snatch possession a number of times and was only kept from netting the opener by an excellent low save by Martinez, but couldn’t quite make the a telling contribution. Much better in the first half than the second.
Amadou Onana – 7
Heavily linked with a big-money move away this month the midfielder showed more dynamism going forward than usual in a solid display. Stole in for a hugely dangerous chance as Martinez tried to play out from the back but the keeper claimed the loose ball. In the wars in the centre of the park but committed to the fight and fast to provide support to Tarkowski during a second-half flash point.
Arnaut Danjuma (off for McNeil ’63) – 8 (Man of the Match)
Surprisingly strong showing and unlucky to go off early. The exit-linked winger proved to arguably the most involved in attacking areas of any Toffees player, to bely his lack of impact so far this season. Far from perfect but went close shortly before he went off and on another day he would have had two excellent assists. Fired in an inviting low cross from the left early which none of his teammates met, and it was his perfect through-ball which sprung Calvert-Lewin for what should have been the opener. Injury to Dwight McNeil has handed him an opportunity to improve on his showing for the club to date and his work against Villa was an encouraging sign.
Abdoulaye Doucouré – 7
Returning from injury it was clear to see what Everton have been missing as he was heavily involved from the off, showing industry between the midfield and attack. Faded after the break as the game became attritional and lacked quality on the ball, which was perhaps no surprise after his return from injury, but was quickly on the scene to back up Tarkowski alongside Onana as the game wore on.
Jack Harrison – 6
Looked busy in the opening exchanges but faded from prominence and while he battled down the right he was unable to have the sort of impact that has made him a regular under Dyche.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (off for Beto ’63) – 3
Very disappointing day as he fluffed his lines when handed the chance to be the difference. His lack of goalscoring form was horribly evident as he streaked clear just before the break but couldn’t beat Martinez in a huge one-on-one. It was the kind of chance that has all too often been punished at Goodison Park this season and in a tight game it should have been the winner.
Substitutions
Dwight McNeil (on for Danjuma ’63) – 5
Not fit to start thanks to the injury he picked up in the FA Cup but, despite being key so often this season, his introduction felt like a regression from Danjuma’s performance.
Beto (on for Calvert-Lewin ’63) – 5
Arrived when there was little to speak of in terms of coherent attacking play from either side and didn’t receive much service to do anything with in a fairly anonymous display. Arguably not his fault but barely saw the ball.
In other Everton news, a seven-figure January transfer update has emerged on a Toffees-linked attacker with a work permit said to be no issue.