The Toffees were heading into this game after collecting 10 points from a possible 12 and taking to life under Rafa Benitez quite well. 

However this trip to the Midlands would be the biggest test so for the Blues as key individuals like Calvert-Lewin, Coleman, Richarlison and Pickford were all out injured resulting in a formation and personnel change.

It was the hosts who had the first big opportunity of the game when Mings rose highest quality power his header goalwards only for Begovic to produce a sublime save to deny the centre back.

It was apparent that this match was going to be an open one due to the differing formations allowing space to players who normally would have been marked.

Everton’s gameplan was clear, that was to bombard the box with crosses looking for the head of Salomon Rondon who would be taking up the lone striker role in place of the injured Calvert-Lewin.

Aston Villa were dominating possession in the first half attempting to carve out opportunities for Watkins and Ings but the Blues were always threatening on the counter.

Demarai Gray was looking like his usual dangerous self, gliding past players with ease and implementing his direct attacking style on the game.

Overall it would probably be Dean Smith the happier out of the two managers at the half due to his team controlling the ball more but Everton had chances and certainly had positives.

Everton started the second half quite sluggishly, struggling to get out of their own half and form attacks but the Blues can feel hard done by when Gray was impeded by Konsa but no foul was given.

The first real Everton chance of the half came courtesy of Iwobi who hit a tame shot at Martinez after some crafty work from Gray to set him up.

It was Gray again who looked to be the main threat as he was found just outside the area by Townsend where he took aim and and just missed the post.

Aston Villa were the ones to take the lead through Matty Cash after he make a long busting run to get the wrong side of Lucas Digne. The full back then cut in on his weaker foot where he smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Just minutes later Villa doubled their lead through a woeful own goal from Lucas Digne where he misplaced his header from an opposing corner, past the outstretched gloves of Begovic.

The two quick fire goals really seemed to rattle the Everton players who lost all composure when trying to deal with the sudden change in tempo of the game.

The game was well and truly over after Leon Bailey was sent through in acres of space behind Ben Godfrey and the Jamaican winger responded by smashing the ball straight through the gloves of Begovic to register his first goal for Aston Villa.

What has become an early theme for the Blues in other games was organisation and solidity but none of that was on show today as player heads went and a total lack of responsibility was on display.

Lucas Digne, who has often been hailed by fans as one of the best in his position, has simply not been good enough this season. The French left back is capable of a wicked delivery, great overlapping runs and the occasional long distance goal but we have seen nothing of the sort since the start of the campaign. Today he was at fault for the first two goals and it is becoming a common occurrence for an opposing winger to get the best of him. With no cover for him at left back, he may feel comfortable without any competition which is making him lackadaisical.

Although it’s one game and key figures were missing, Rafa needs to get these players back to the and drill into them a sense of organisation when a team wants to dominate the ball. Too often today were Everton pinned back with no real outlets and this was paired with a real lack of discipline once the first goal went in.

Player Ratings:

Asmir Begovic – 6/10

Ben Godfrey – 4/10

Yerry Mina – 6/10

Michael Keane – 5/10

Lucas Digne – 2/10

Allan – 5/10

Abdoulaye Doucoure – 6/10 

Demarai Gray – 7/10

Andros Townsend – 6.5/10

Alex Iwobi – 5/10

Salomon Rondon – 4/10

Substitutes:

Andre Gomes: 4/10

Anthony Gordon: 4/10

Jonjoe Kenny: N/A

Tom Davies: N/A