Royal Blue Mersey - Everton at Aston Villa: Premier League Matchday 27It's a grand old team to supporthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52544/royal_fav.png2016-03-02T15:21:37+00:00http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/rss/stream/108983332016-03-02T15:21:37+00:002016-03-02T15:21:37+00:00Everton at Aston Villa: Three Thoughts
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<figcaption>Clive Mason/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Another look at Everton's 3-1 win over Aston Villa. </p> <p>If <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Everton</a> is to have any chance of European football this season, every game is a crucial game. There were some nervy moments against Villa, but Everton managed to hang on and get the full three points. Its a good step for the Toffees to see the game out, but one gets the sense that they still aren't quite reaching their potential. They'll need to do that soon with a pair of top six teams and an FA Cup game on the horizon.</p>
<h4>The Man With The Golden Head</h4>
<p>Well I don't think any of us saw this coming.</p>
<p>When the season began Everton fans fully expected to see a young center back stealing headlines throughout the campaign, but I doubt any of us imagined we'd be talking about Ramiro Funes Mori. The young Argentinian has proved to be worth £9.5 million Everton paid for him.</p>
<p>Funes Mori is only 21 games into his league career, but he's shown the capability of being a top center back. Some would argue he already is in fact. WhoScored has him rated as the 5th best center back in the Premier League. That may be a little rich. He's still good for at least one head scratching clearance a match (see his nearly disastrous clearance which fortunately ricocheted directly to Robles).</p>
<p>But the goals! After Tuesday night's performance Funes Mori has four goals and two assists in all competitions. His three league goals ties him for second in the Premier League amongst center backs, with only Palace's Scott Dann ahead of him. Ramiro's aerial ability is something thats been sorely lacking in the club as of late.</p>
<p>Its still a little early to be sure, but with Funes Mori, Stones, Galloway and Browning, Everton may be set at center halves for the next decade.</p>
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<h4>Let's Not Forget, Villa is Terrible</h4>
<p>A win is always fantastic, and I know there are no easy wins in the Premier League, but honestly Everton didn't play particularly well. Aside from a handful of undeniably brilliant moments, the Toffees looked lethargic and unfocused. They frequently surrendered possession, made bad decisions and generally slopped about. From Joel Robles's sky hook to Coleman in the first half to 30 minutes of lightly jogging Mirallas, Everton seemed content to just do enough.</p>
<p>Fortunately they were playing a side that looks about as sharp as a frisbee covered in pudding. Even so, Everton saw little of the ball the last half hour. Worse they managed to surrender a late aerial goal despite having both <span>Phil Jagielka</span> and <span>John Stones</span> in the area. Its comforting to know Everton can bring their "B" game and still win comfortably, but that simply won't do with both West Ham and <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arsenal</a> coming up on the docket.</p>
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<h4>Some Tactical Thoughts</h4>
<p>With Tom Cleverley out, yours truly expected new signing Oumar Niasse to get his first Premier League start. After all, <span>Roberto Martinez</span> made it clear that Niasse is not a bench player. Instead Martinez chose to start Kevin Mirallas. The move largely paid off as Mirallas terrific pullback lead to the team's second goal, but to me Villa was ideal game to get Niasse his first Premier League run out. If he's still getting his legs under him, what better place to get some serious minutes then the league's bottom dwellers?</p>
<p>We saw the first extended time from both John Stones and <span>Leighton Baines</span> in several matches, and by and large it was an indifferent outing at best for both. A little intriguing however, is Stones' signaling three to his defensive backfield mates, with the idea that Everton may shift to a back three. We saw very little of that during the match as Everton was on the back foot most of Stones's time on the pitch, but its an interesting thought moving forward. Funes Mori clearly is improving his game and the captain has been steady as always. Stones has had his struggles this year but is still one of the best young center backs in football. Might we see all three get a run out together for a full match? The boss rarely alters his side's form, but has been known to make an occasional surprise tactical change. It bears watching moving forward.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/3/2/11144276/everton-at-aston-villa-three-thoughts-ramiro-funes-mori-Malesherbes2016-03-02T09:00:02+00:002016-03-02T09:00:02+00:00Roberto Martinez Post-Match Comments
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<p>Manager's post-match comments</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> manager <span>Roberto Martinez</span> was a happy man after the Blues' victory away at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/">Aston Villa</a>. Romelu Lukaku scored his 17th goal of the Premier League season, breaking a club record of sixteen held jointly by Tony Cottee and Andre Kanchelskis. With eleven games still to go and health permitting, the Belgian forward will have plenty of opportunities to set a record for the ages.</p>
<p>This is what Martinez had to say about the record -</p>
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<p>"It was a really pleasing moment, it means a lot. But I am more pleased about the responsibility that Romelu has developed this season.</p>
<p>"He is still a young man - sometimes we forget he is only 22 - but I think the way he has developed as an individual has been terrific.</p>
<p>"The goalscoring threat has always been one of Rom's biggest strengths, but he has also grown in terms of understanding his role for the team - and that is very pleasing.</p>
<p>"I'm delighted for him [to break the record] but I know he also has an incredible focus to increase that figure as much as he possibly can between now and the end of the season."</p>
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<p>Martinez commented on the 3-5-2 formation that the hosts lined up in -</p>
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<p>"Looking from the outside at coming to Aston Villa it looks like an easy game but I can guarantee you that wasn't the case at all.</p>
<p>"I thought they were very clever in trying to use a different formation."</p>
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<p>He also spoke about the victory, and the three points that came with it -</p>
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<p>"You could see that sense of excitement throughout the fans and everyone at Finch Farm to welcome Mr Moshiri with a win. We are sure he will be delighted with the three points.</p>
<p>"Today wasn't easy but we adapted and kept our concentration. We were clinical up front and defended well, so it was a pleasing win. It has given us a boost at this stage of the season.</p>
<p>"The next 11 games are an opportunity to get as many good performances as we can and as many of the final 33 points as we can. That attitude was clear today."</p>
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<p>Aston Villa seem destined for relegation, and Everton fans can sympathize with the sorry situation they find themselves in -</p>
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<p>"This is the most competitive league in world football. It can happen to everyone. I have been following Aston Villa for a very long time now and they have been very unfortunate in many games.</p>
<p>"I didn't see a team with no fight or a desire to get the three points. When you concede two goals it's hard to overcome but this is a really strong competition.</p>
<p>"You just want Aston Villa to get back to the glory days that they used to have. They are a traditional football club in British football and you want them to do really well."</p>
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https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/3/2/11143586/martinez-lukaku-development-terrific-everton-aston-villaCalvin2016-03-01T23:07:18+00:002016-03-01T23:07:18+00:00Everton at Aston Villa: Extended Highlights
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<figcaption>Clive Mason/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>All the goals, saves and chances</p> <p>Everton beat Aston Villa 3-1 to extend their excellent away record. The Blues have five wins and three draws in their last eight games away from Goodison Park, the first time since 2010 when they last went on a similar run.</p>
<p>The Toffees went up early as an unmarked Ramiro Funes Mori headed home from a corner in the fifth minute. The visitors were then content to sit back and let Villa come back into the game. With thirty minutes gone though, the Blues broke out from a home corner and Kevin Mirallas centered for Aaron Lennon to nutmeg both Joleon Lescott and Brad Guzan. Everton controlled possession in the first half and made the hosts pay on the scoreboard too.</p>
<p>Villa came out a more determined side in the second half, but once again abysmal defending did them in as Romelu Lukaku tapped home from a Funes Mori cross to seal the game. With that goal, Lukaku became Everton's first ever player to score 17 Premier League goals, ahead of Tony Cottee and Andre Kanchelskis who both had 16.</p>
<p>Sparked by a home crowd that protested long and loud all evening, it was the introduction of Rudy Gestede that made the difference as they penned Everton in and took shot after shot. Gestede was the goalscorer as he rose above Phil Jagielka and sub John Stones to nod home, but a comeback was never really on the cards for a poor Villa team.</p>
<p><script src="//cdn.playwire.com/bolt/js/zeus/embed.js" data-config="//config.playwire.com/21772/videos/v2/4650141/zeus.json" data-width="100%" data-height="100%" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><i>Video courtesy of <a href="http://www.fullmatchesandshows.com/2016/03/01/aston-villa-vs-everton-highlights/">Full Matches & Shows</a></i></p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/3/1/11143300/everton-aston-villa-extended-highlights-funes-moriCalvin2016-03-01T22:03:20+00:002016-03-01T22:03:20+00:00Aston Villa 1-3 Everton - instant reaction
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<figcaption>Clive Mason/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Toffees move back into the top half of the table with win at Villa Park</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Goals from Ramiro Funes Mori, <span>Aaron Lennon</span> and <span>Romelu Lukaku</span> eased <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> to victory against a poor <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/">Aston Villa</a> side at Villa Park.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Rudy Gestede pulled one back late as Everton became a little sloppy in the closing stages, but the result was never really in doubt against a side destined for the Championship next season.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Everton made just one change to their side, with <span>Kevin Mirallas</span> coming in for the ill Tom Cleverley. Arouna Kone and <span>John Stones</span> were fit to return but only as substitutes.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Everton made a dream start when Mirallas’ corner was met by the unmarked Funes Mori, who buried his header beyond <span>Brad Guzan</span> for his fourth goal of the season.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">With the natives restless that early goal should have been the signal for Everton to take control. But, like we have seen so many times this season, Everton let the initiative slip and Villa slowly grew into the game.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">First <span>Joel Robles</span> had to parry the ball away when Funes Mori’s clearance cannoned goalwards off Gabriel Agbonlhaor.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Moments later Joel was called into action again, diving down to his left to push away <span>Ashley Westwood</span>’s stinging drive.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Leandro Bacuna</span> then had another effort well held by the Spaniard as Villa grew in confidence.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">But, Villa are bottom for a reason and that reason is a chronic inability to defend, though credit also has to go to Everton for a wonderful counter-attacking move that doubled their lead.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Ross Barkley</span> strolled into Villa’s half before playing an early ball down the left for Mirallas whose first-time cross into the box was slotted home by Lennon from eight yards.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">It was the impressive Lennon’s fifth goal in his last nine games, adding further credence to talk of a possible international recall.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">More woeful Villa defending gifted Everton’s third after an hour. Just moments after Guzan had done superbly well to push away Lukaku’s diving header, Villa failed to clear a corner allowing Funes Mori time and space to cross low for Lukaku to steer home from close range.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">In doing so the Belgian became to the first Everton player to reach 17<sup>th</sup> Premier League goals in one season, eclipsing the 16 scored by Tony Cottee in 1994 and Andrei Kanchelskis in 1996.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">With the game effectively over as a contest Villa then actually began to play, while the crowd made their feelings known to the club’s board.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Joel Robles was called into action again to save from Westwood, who also had an effort well blocked by <span>Phil Jagielka</span> before firing over from close range.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">On 74 minutes a planned protest by the Villa supporters saw a mass walkout, though plenty did grimly stick around for the remainder.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They saw a goal too, Gestede rising above both Jagielka and John Stones to bury a header in off the bar.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Everton by this stage had gotten sloppy and threatened to let Villa back into the game.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Oumar Niasse finally made his Toffees debut replacing Mirallas with five minutes left while Leighton Baines replacedOviedo who had earlier taken a knock to his ankle.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Funes Mori could have grabbed his second in stoppage-time but his close range shot was well blocked at point-blank range by Brad Guzan.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The win moves Everton back into the top half and above rivals <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> – for 24 hours at least.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">It wasn’t a vintage display by any means but they did enough to get the victory, capping a memorable week off the pitch with an effective performance on it.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/3/1/11142646/aston-villa-1-3-everton-ramiro-funes-mori-romelu-lukaku-aaron-lennonTom Mallows2016-03-01T21:11:39+00:002016-03-01T21:11:39+00:00Funes Mori to Lukaku goal! Everton 3-0 against Villa<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/CraigClinton77/status/704774760589299713">Funes Mori to Lukaku goal! Everton 3-0 against&nbsp;Villa</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Ramiro Funes Mori picked out an unmarked Romelu Lukaku and the Belgian didn't miss - 3-0 at the hour mark.</p></p></div>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/3/1/11142324/funes-mori-to-lukaku-goal-everton-3-0-against-villaCalvin2016-03-01T20:24:01+00:002016-03-01T20:24:01+00:00Aaron Lennon counterattack goal for Everton against Villa<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/JM1TTY/status/704762894156693510">Aaron Lennon counterattack goal for Everton against&nbsp;Villa</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Quick strike for a second goal for Everton. Kevin Mirallas breaks free down the left, centers the ball for Aaron Lennon to sweep home.</p></p></div>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/3/1/11141408/aaron-lennon-counterattack-goal-for-everton-against-villaCalvin2016-03-01T20:16:48+00:002016-03-01T20:16:48+00:00Funes Mori scores when he wants to<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/JM1TTY/status/704756446496477184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">Funes Mori scores when he wants&nbsp;to</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Defender Ramiro Funes Mori gives Everton the lead against Aston Villa after five minutes.</p></p></div>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/3/1/11141310/funes-mori-scores-when-he-wants-toCalvin2016-03-01T15:59:04+00:002016-03-01T15:59:04+00:00Aston Villa v Everton: Injury report
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<figcaption>Clint Hughes/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Roberto Martinez has plenty of options ahead of game at Villa Park</p> <p><span>Roberto Martinez</span> has close to a full squad to choose from for Tuesday night's Premier League trip to bottom club <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/">Aston Villa</a>.</p>
<p>Forward Arouna Kone is fit to return after missing the FA Cup win at Bournemouth due to illness, though the best he can probably hope for is a place on the bench.</p>
<p><span>John Stones</span> is also available after a hamstring injury and could play his first game in more than a month.Though, like Kone, he may have to settle for a spot among the substitutes given the form of <span>Phil Jagielka</span> and Ramiro Funes Mori.</p>
<p>Muhamed Besic, <a href="http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/2/29/11134756/besic-inks-new-deal-february-2016" target="_blank">fresh from signing a new five-and-a-half year contract</a>, has recovered from a hamstring injury but is not going to be risked at Villa Park. The Bosnian midfielder is expected to make his comeback against West Ham at Goodison Park on Saturday.</p>
<p>Ireland midfielder <span>Darron Gibson</span> also misses out on Tuesday's game with an unspecified knock. The 28-year-old hasn't played since the FA Cup fourth round win at Carlisle at the end of January.</p>
<p>Other than that only long-term injury victims <span>Tony Hibbert</span> and Tyias Browning are unavailable to Martinez as the Toffees look to bounce back from their last league game, a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to West Brom.</p>
<p>Aston Villa have forward Jordan Ayew available after he completed a three-match ban for his sending off at West Ham last month.</p>
<p>However, Villa boss Remi Garde is without <span>Jack Grealish</span>, <span>Carlos Sanchez</span>, Libor Kozak, Adama Traore and Jordan Amavi due to injury.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/3/1/11138976/aston-villa-everton-premier-league-injury-updateTom Mallows