After their opening-day Premier League loss, Aston Villa cruised to a 4-0 home triumph over Everton.
After captain John McGinn and Douglas Luiz’s penalty gave Villa a 2-0 lead at halftime, Leon Bailey and substitute John Duran helped Unai Emery’s team overcome last week’s 5-1 setback at Newcastle.
Weak Everton defense allowed Villa to score easily, prompting half of their fans to depart Villa Park before the final whistle.
Everton lost their first two games for the second season in a row after Dominic Calvert-Lewin left in the first half.
After a head-on collision with Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, the England striker, who scored only two goals last season due to injury, was substituted in the 38th minute.
Villa enjoyed a comfortable lead midway through the first half despite missing Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendia (both knees), and Jacob Ramsey (foot) due to long-term injuries.
McGinn scored in the 18th minute after Bailey wriggled to the byline and cut back.
The 24th-minute penalty was awarded after VAR deemed Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford had struck Ollie Watkins with a flailing arm. Villa increased their advantage.
Pickford, making his 250th Premier League appearance, was booked for delaying the spot-kick, which Douglas Luiz coolly despatched. Watkins’ drive was cleared off the goal-line moments before.
England’s number one scored soon after by deflecting Moussa Diaby’s shot past the post.
Martinez only faced Everton once before halftime when summer signing Arnaut Danjuma’s low, angled shot forced him to save near the post.
Alex Iwobi walked off and was replaced by Neal Mapauy shortly after the resumption.
Villa sealed the win in the 51st minute, worsening Everton’s situation. Bailey scored a low effort under Pickford after Everton defender Michael Keane a throw-in into the box.
After a corner, Martinez brilliantly saved Maupay’s close-range effort after Watkins’ slanted shot went wide.
After coming off the bench to replace Watkins, Keane miskicked Ashley Young’s throw-in and Duran went free to score his first goal for Villa less than a minute later.
