Aston Villa didn’t quite break Everton’s undefeated record this season – they dismantled it.
Rafael Benitez’s side lost 3-0 away to Aston Villa in what was their first defeat of the Premier League season.
Everton had chances, but the Villans were that bit more clinical as goals from Matty Cash, an own goal from Lucas Digne and Lucas Bailey was enough for Dean Smith’s side.
Abdoulaye Doucoure impressed for the Toffees in midfield and the big man – a £20 million signing in 2020 – has revealed on Everton’s official website what Benitez told the players after the game.
He said: “After the game, the manager said we need to keep working. Today was disappointing, conceding the goals was bad for us, but in the next game we have to bounce back and work even harder to get a good result.”
‘Keep working’
That was apparently Benitez’s message after the Aston Villa defeat – and he’s quite right.
In spite of this result, the Spanish coach looks to be capable of building something very exciting on the blue half of the Merseyside divide after his controversial appointment, having once managed Liverpool.
And it’s important that Everton continue in the same vein, playing with the same swagger and confidence that they were before visiting the Midlands.
And in theory, Benitez’s side should bounce straight back.
Next up for the Toffees is a visit of newly-promoted Norwich City to Goodison Park and with the Canaries having zero points after five matches, an immediate response from Everton is very, very likely.
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