Everton player ratings vs Aston Villa: McNeil shines but Neal Maupay underwhelming in 2-0 loss

Everton took on Aston Villa at Goodison Park in search of their third consecutive win at Goodison Park, after winning games against Arsenal and Leeds United in the last three weeks. Sean Dyche named an unchanged eleven as Neal Maupay started ahead of Ellis Simms in Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s absence. Demarai Gray was also on the bench as EFC retained the 4-5-1 shape.

The first half was an end to end encounter at times but Everton were the better team, creating multiple goalscoring chances. Dwight McNeil was creating havoc on the left flank with his pressing, crossing and work ethic.

Everton did not take their chances and Aston Villa went ahead through a penalty in the second half as Idrissa Gueye brought down John McGinn in the box. Emi Buendia scored the second goal to kill off the tie and ensure three points for Villa. Everton did not take their chances and lacked a typical Calvert-Lewin kind of presence up top as Villa walked out as victors with a 2-0 win.

Everton player ratings vs Aston Villa

Jordan Pickford – 6.5

Jordan Pickford signed a four and a half year contract extension ahead of the game. The Englishman also made his 350th club appearance. Pickford made a great save from a close range Ollie Watkins effort in the first half. The England No.1 pulled off a stunning save from Watkins’ header to keep the game 0-0. Pickford could do nothing to save the second goal as Emiliano Buendia blasted the ball past Pickford from the right side.

Seamus Coleman – 6

Seamus Coleman looked disciplined and pushed forward when needed, showcasing fine football intelligence. The Irishman went forward with purpose but couldn’t

James Tarkowski – 6

James Tarkowski has done a commendable job to nullify Watkins’ runs and presence. He has dealt with the Villa attack with utmost intelligence and looked sound. Tarkowski had a couple of headers but he failed to hit the target.

Conor Coady – 5.5

Conor Coady turned 30 today but couldn’t celebrate his birthday with a win. Coady was decent in the first half but should have defended better during Villa’s second goal.

Vitaliy Mykolenko – 6.5

Mykolenko swung a delicious cross in the box where Onana got right over the ball and headed powerfully but Emi Martinez made the save. Mykolenko got forward and provided support to McNeil. The duo has lit up the left side, increasing the worries of Matty Cash.

Idrissa Gueye – 5.5

In the first half, Idrissa Gueye hasn’t done something extraordinary but did everything that was expected of him. He was blocking the Villa attack, making himself available for pass when Everton moved from back to front and read the play well. In the second half, Gueye gave away the penalty and Watkins did not miss his chance to put Villa into the lead.

Amadou Onana – 6

Booked early on for a foul on Douglas Luiz. Amadou Onana had a chance in the first half to give Everton the lead but the Belgian couldn’t effectively get his shot away. Onana came increasingly close to scoring the opener again but his powerful header was saved by Martinez.

Abdoulaye Doucoure – 6

Abdoulaye Doucoure threaded a juicy ball to Onana who couldn’t find the space to shoot at goal. The Malian was full of energy and displayed his box-to-box character, getting forward while also doing the necessary hard work to win the ball back.

Alex Iwobi – 6

Alex Iwobi didn’t have the best of games against Leeds United last time around but his first half performance was impressive. He was pushing forward, making the runs and linking up well. Iwobi came off in the 70th minute for Demarai Gray as Dyche tried to freshen the things up.

Dwight McNeil – 7.5

Dwight McNeil combined with Maupay before putting the ball in the box for Alex Iwobi who couldn’t have the best contact with the ball. The 23 year old looked sharp and determined throughout the first half as he swung pin-point crosses, took the battle to Matty Cash and was a constant nightmare for Villa on the left side. McNeil was a constant threat as EFC pushed for an equalizer.

Neal Maupay – 5

The Frenchman flicked the ball towards the back post from an Iwobi cross as he came close to finding the net. Maupay had another chance to hand Everton the lead as McNeil laid the ball to the Frenchman who took a shot after taking a touch but Martinez made the save. Maupay’s close range effort was haggled over by Tyrone Mings as EFC came extremely close to taking the lead in the second half.

Substitutes:

Demarai Gray – 6

Demarai Gray came on for Iwobi for the last 20 odd minutes as Everton pushed for an equalizer. He swung a couple of crosses which did not bother Villa much.

Ellis Simms – 6

Ellis Simms came on for Maupay, who had a very underwhelming game as he failed to take the chances. Simms had a chance from Doucoure’s cross.

Tom Davies – N/A

Tom Davies came on for Onana in the final 10 minutes.