Aston Villa
Everton
Match Commentary
Aston Villa vs Everton Match Overview: 0-1 Premier League
Aston Villa’s grip on the game never translated into the one moment that matters, as Everton stole a 0-1 win on 18 January 2026. The Aston Villa vs Everton Scoreline was decided by Thierno Barry’s sublime second-half finish, a goal that landed like a punch after Villa had spent long spells hemming Everton in. For all the territory, corners and pressure, this Aston Villa vs Everton Result will sting at Villa Park: Everton were clinical, Jordan Pickford was immense, and Villa were left with only near-misses and frustration.
- Early warning: Merlin Rohl struck the post inside the opening minute, a reminder Everton carried a threat even without the ball.
- Villa inches away: Evann Guessand powered a header onto the crossbar as Villa’s first-half pressure nearly found its reward.
- Fine margins: Everton had a goal ruled out for offside after Jake O’Brien finished from a set-piece sequence.
- The decisive moment: Thierno Barry lifted a brilliant finish over Emiliano Martínez on 59 minutes to make it 0-1.
- Pickford stands tall: Late saves and command of his box helped Everton survive Villa’s closing surge.
First Half
From the first whistle, Aston Villa tried to impose a rhythm built on possession and quick combinations between Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendía and Morgan Rogers. Yet the match began with a jolt: Everton sprang forward immediately and Merlin Rohl’s rebound crashed back off the post, a breathless moment that set an edgy tone for both teams.
Villa responded by tightening control, moving the ball with patience and repeatedly working it into the channels for Matty Cash and Ian Maatsen to deliver. Chances came in waves rather than a single clean opening. Rogers, lively and direct, found space for headers and strikes that either flew over or were gathered by Jordan Pickford, while Maatsen tested the Everton goalkeeper with a low drive from the edge of the area.
Everton, though often pinned back, remained dangerous on transitions and set plays. Emiliano Martínez produced a standout save to deny Vitali Mykolenko’s fierce effort on the half-hour, and moments later had to stay sharp again as Everton’s runners arrived late around the box. The biggest Villa moment of the half arrived when Evann Guessand met a cross inside the six-yard area and rattled the bar—Villa Park rose, then groaned, in the same heartbeat.
There was drama at the other end too: Jake O’Brien did put the ball in the net from a dead-ball situation, but the flag went up and VAR confirmed offside. It was a warning Villa didn’t fully heed, and the teams went in level, with Aston Villa feeling they had done enough to lead, and Everton satisfied they were still alive.
Second Half
Aston Villa came out with the same intent, immediately forcing Everton back and creating a gilt-edged opportunity when a corner found Morgan Rogers unmarked. Somehow, his header drifted just over—another chance that felt like it would loom larger as the minutes passed.
Everton’s response was swift and ruthless. After Martínez had saved from Dwight McNeil, the visitors struck with a finish of real quality. In the 59th minute, Thierno Barry found space inside the box and delicately lifted the ball over Martínez, turning a relatively quiet attacking afternoon into the defining moment of the Aston Villa vs Everton Goals story. It was the kind of chance Everton had been waiting for: one clear opening, one perfect execution.
The remainder of the contest became an exercise in Villa persistence against Everton resistance. Unai Emery’s changes brought fresh legs and renewed urgency, with Lucas Digne introduced to add delivery and George Hemmings asked to inject energy. Villa pushed numbers forward, won corners, and forced blocks—Ezri Konsa had a close-range effort repelled, Buendía saw a strike from the edge of the area smothered, and Hemmings’ late attempt was also turned away by a defender’s intervention.
Everton, meanwhile, managed the game with pragmatism. Pickford’s authority on crosses and corners gave his back line belief, and the visitors’ clearances mounted as Villa searched for a way through. Beto arrived late to offer an outlet, and Everton saw out stoppage time with discipline, leaving Villa with a painful sense that the match had slipped away despite their dominance.
Aston Villa vs Everton Stats Breakdown
The Aston Villa vs Everton Stats underline why this felt so harsh on the hosts. Aston Villa had 63% possession, outshot Everton 18 to 9, and generated an xG of 1.44 to Everton’s 0.50. Villa also recorded 31 touches in the opposition box to Everton’s 16, pointing to sustained pressure and frequent entry into dangerous areas.
But Everton’s defensive structure and game management told their own story: 28 clearances and 13 interceptions reflected a side prepared to suffer, then strike. Pickford’s five saves were pivotal in the Aston Villa vs Everton Highlights package, particularly as Villa’s shots on target (5) kept coming in the second half. Everton’s xG on target (xGOT) of 0.98 compared to Villa’s 0.96 hints at the difference: the visitors’ best moment was not only their best chance, it was also finished with composure.
Villa will also regret the sloppiness that crept in at the worst time, with the match stats crediting the hosts with two errors leading to a goal. In a game decided by a single action, that detail becomes the headline.
Aston Villa vs Everton Lineups
Aston Villa XI (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martínez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen; Lamare Bogarde, Youri Tielemans; John McGinn, Morgan Rogers, Emiliano Buendía; Ollie Watkins.
Everton XI: Jordan Pickford; Nathan Patterson, James Tarkowski, Jake O’Brien, Vitali Mykolenko; Merlin Rohl, James Garner, Dwight McNeil, Harrison Armstrong, Jack Grealish; Thierno Barry.
Substitutions: Villa saw John McGinn depart early through injury, with Evann Guessand introduced. Later, Lucas Digne and George Hemmings were sent on as Emery chased an equaliser. Everton replaced Thierno Barry with Beto late on to protect the lead and offer a counter-attacking outlet.
Player of the Match
Jordan Pickford (Everton). In a match where Aston Villa repeatedly found pockets to shoot from, Pickford’s shot-stopping and command of his area were the difference between pressure and points dropped. He made key interventions at crucial times, held firm under late aerial bombardment, and gave Everton the platform to turn one attack into a winning goal.
What the Result Means
This Premier League match report leaves Aston Villa with a familiar frustration: strong control, promising build-up, but no final touch. It is the kind of Villa match today that can shape a season if it becomes a pattern—dominance without reward. For Everton, the Everton match today is a statement of resilience and efficiency, the type of away win that builds belief in a dressing room and buys time for a side still searching for fluency.
In terms of full-time analysis, Villa will point to the missed headers, the woodwork, and Pickford’s saves. Everton will point to their discipline, their timing, and the calmness of Barry’s finish. The Aston Villa vs Everton Match Report ultimately comes down to one team needing many chances, and the other needing only one.
There will be no more action in this match as the referee signals full time.
90+2'
Tony Harrington has a clear sight and sees a foul from Emiliano Buendia (Aston Villa).
90+1'
Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa) gives away a foul for a fierce tackle on an opponent.
90+1'
4 min. of stoppage-time to be played.
88'
Beto (Everton) looks to break free, but an opposing player clears the ball away.
84'
Substitution. Thierno Barry is replaced by Beto (Everton).
82'
George Hemmings (Aston Villa) gives away a foul for a clumsy challenge. Referee Tony Harrington saw the whole situation.
80'
Emiliano Buendia (Aston Villa) collects a pass and finds himself in a good position to strike from the edge of the box, but his attempt is blocked.
78'
George Hemmings (Aston Villa) goes on a mazy run and ends with a shot from the edge of the box, but a defender makes a decent block.
78'
That was a poorly executed free kick from long distance. James Garner (Everton) was trying to produce a cross into the penalty area, but his effort sailed off the pitch.
77'
Tony Harrington couldn't ignore the rough tackle by Emiliano Buendia (Aston Villa) and blew his whistle.
75'
Harrison Armstrong (Everton) sends a pass into the box, but his attempt is thwarted and cleared.
74'
The linesman signals that Merlin Rohl (Everton) is offside and the referee confirms the decision.
74'
Jordan Pickford leaps to intercept the corner kick from Matty Cash (Aston Villa).
74'
Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa) collects a pass inside the box and unleashes a shot which is brilliantly blocked by a defender.
73'
Lucas Digne (Aston Villa) takes the corner kick but the ball only finds the head of an opponent.
73'
Here is a change. Lamare Bogarde is going off and Unai Emery gives the last tactical orders to George Hemmings (Aston Villa).
73'
Ian Maatsen comes off the pitch to be replaced by Lucas Digne (Aston Villa).
73'
Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) blew a promising chance when he got to a rebound just outside the penalty area. He struck it towards the top right corner, but Jordan Pickford pulled off a nice save to stop the attempt.
72'
Ian Maatsen (Aston Villa) rolls the ball short to a teammate from the corner instead of sending a cross into the box.
70'
Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) makes a yard for himself on the edge of the box after picking up a pass, but produces a poor effort that sails high over the bar.
67'
Rough tackle by Merlin Rohl (Everton). The referee blows his whistle for a foul.
59'
0 - 1
What a goal that is! Thierno Barry (Everton) gets to the ball inside the box and brilliantly lifts the ball over Emiliano Martinez and into the net. 0:1.
59'
Dwight McNeil (Everton) blew a promising chance when he got to a rebound just outside the penalty area. He struck it towards the left side of the target, but Emiliano Martinez pulled off a nice save to stop the attempt.
58'
It looks like Matty Cash (Aston Villa) saw red with that tackle. Tony Harrington won't tolerate such behaviour on the pitch and blows for a foul.
56'
Lamare Bogarde (Aston Villa) shouldn't be surprised it's a yellow from the ref, who cooled the situation down well.
52'
The ball is cleared after Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) attempted to dribble past an opposing player.
51'
What a miss! The corner finds Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) unmarked in the box with the goal at his mercy, but somehow he mistimes his header and sends it just over the bar.
50'
This shall not pass! Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) lines up a shot from the edge of the box and goes for goal, but the effort is well blocked by a defender.
49'
Jack Grealish (Everton) makes a rough challenge and Tony Harrington blows his whistle for a foul.
48'
Flag up against Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa). He had space to move into behind the defence, but he went too soon.
47'
Yellow card. James Garner (Everton) goes into the book for a bad tackle on his opponent.
46'
The players are back out on the pitch following the half-time break and the second half is about to start.
45+3'
The first half of today's match has just finished.
45+1'
Everton take a short corner instead of sending the ball into the penalty area.
45'
We will have 3 min. of added time.
44'
Jack Grealish (Everton) gets on the end of a good pass and from mid-range he unleashes a decent strike, but the shot is blocked by the defender.
43'
Nothing comes of the resulting corner from Matty Cash (Aston Villa). The defence is alert and manages to cut it out.
43'
Matty Cash (Aston Villa) swings in a cross from the corner, but Jordan Pickford reads it well and gathers the ball. Aston Villa earn a corner.
42'
Evann Guessand (Aston Villa) connects with a cross from out wide in the six-yard box, but only plants his header onto the bar.
38'
Aston Villa quickly take a corner kick with a short pass.
37'
Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) latches on to an accurate pass on the edge of the box and produces a ferocious strike towards the left post, but his shot is well held by the goalkeeper. The linesman makes the right call and Aston Villa will have a corner.
36'
Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) misses a good chance to score. An inch-perfect cross into the box finds Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) who rises for a header, but sends the ball well over the bar.
35'
The referee looks satisfied after his VAR review and duly disallows the goal for offside. The Everton players look gutted.
33'
The assistant referee raises his flag and the referee blows his whistle. Jake O'Brien (Everton) puts the ball into the net, but he is flagged for offside.
33'
This corner kick is taken with a short pass by James Garner (Everton).
32'
That was a nice football moment. Vitali Mykolenko (Everton) receives an amazing defence-splitting low pass on the edge of the box and blasts the ball towards the roof of the net. Emiliano Martinez guesses his intention and dives superbly to deny him with a remarkable save!
31'
Evann Guessand (Aston Villa) takes a great touch after receiving a pass inside the box. He immediately unleashes a low shot to the middle of the goal, but the keeper pulls off a decent save!
29'
Dwight McNeil (Everton) races towards goal but the defender gets back well to make a challenge.
27'
Aston Villa hold the ball and display nice passing from player to player.
24'
Ian Maatsen (Aston Villa) goes on a solo run, but he fails to create a chance as an opposition player blocks him.
23'
Dwight McNeil (Everton) is cautioned by the referee for a foul that he committed a little earlier.
23'
Jack Grealish (Everton) gets to the ball from the resulting corner and tries his luck with a shot, but one of the defenders steps in to block the effort.
22'
Dwight McNeil (Everton) will take a corner kick.
21'
Thierno Barry (Everton) attempts to find his teammate with a pass from outside the box, but the opposition's defence is quick to react and thwarts the attack. Everton force a corner. They send men into the box.
21'
Dwight McNeil (Everton) sends a cross into the box, but Emiliano Martinez comes off his line to gather the ball.
19'
James Garner (Everton) takes the corner, but the opposition's defence is ready and clears the ball to safety.
18'
John McGinn is substituted due to injury. Unai Emery gives a chance to Evann Guessand (Aston Villa).
18'
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) shows too much aggression during an attacking move and ends up fouling his opponent.
17'
It doesn’t look good for John McGinn (Aston Villa); looks like he’ll have to leave the pitch!
13'
Dangerous play by Merlin Rohl (Everton). Tony Harrington blows his whistle for a foul.
11'
Ian Maatsen (Aston Villa) hits a first-time shot from the edge of the box low towards the middle of the goal, but Jordan Pickford is equal to the task and makes a comfortable save.
8'
Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) slaloms his way past challenges, but an opposing player does well to get the ball away.
7'
James Garner (Everton) makes a bad challenge and the referee blows his whistle for a foul.
5'
Emiliano Buendia sprays a pass out to Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), but he produces a poor effort from inside the box which goes high over the bar.
4'
Dwight McNeil (Everton) should know this behaviour is beyond the rules. He was too careless with his challenge and left Tony Harrington no option but to blow his whistle.
1'
Merlin Rohl (Everton) fires a rebound from mid-range onto the left post!
1'
The first half of this match is about to start.
Everton will kick the game off.
Tony Harrington will supervise the game today.
Show lineups
We now know the starting lineups. You can find them in the match details of this match.
Welcome to our live text coverage. We will try to provide you with a detailed image of what's happening on the pitch. There are only few moments left to the beginning of the match.