Ollie Watkins believes Everton ‘tested’ Aston Villa with their long balls in Saturday’s match at Goodison Park. He also feels the Toffees lived up to expectations for a Sean Dyche team.
Aston Villa won 2-0 at Everton in the Premier League following goals by Watkins (63’) and Emiliano Buendia (81’). Unai Emery’s side broke the deadlock early in the second half with a penalty. Idrissa Gueye tripped John McGinn for referee Anthony Taylor to point to the spot.
His goal saw Watkins set a new Aston Villa record as the first Villans player to score in five successive Premier League games. While the 27-year-old also helped influence play in the build-up for Buendia’s goal. The Argentine lashed home after turning inside Conor Coady.
Everton fashioned a number of chances to score but Dyche’s men failed to take advantage of what Aston Villa allowed. Tyrone Mings also cleared a header from Neal Maupay off the line. The defeat dropped the Toffees into the relegation zone with 21 points in 24 games.
Jordan Pickford did his best to keep Everton in the game before Watkins sent Aston Villa in front. The goalkeeper produced one brilliant save to claw the striker’s header away. But he dived to his left anticipating Watkins would go for the corner when he hit down the centre.
Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins issues his verdict on Sean Dyche’s Everton
Everton’s ineffective finishing proved costly for Dyche as Watkins and Buendia gifted Aston Villa all three points. The Toffees rarely forced Emiliano Martinez to produce an important save. Maupay tempted the Argentine into two saves through his 76 minutes on the field.
Watkins, though, felt Everton tested Aston Villa as the Toffees lived up to expectations for what a Dyche team produces. He noted how the Goodison natives pushed the Villans with their tendency to play long passes. The striker also felt the Blues tried to be a physical test.
“They tested us with a lot of long balls,” Watkins told BBC Sport. “Sean Dyche team, they’re going to be physical. But we were good all over the park”
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