Goodison spark missing for Moyes as Watkins wins it

The second coming of David Moyes confirmed the new Everton manager is no miracle worker. But how they could do with one. Everton drew a blank for the ninth time in 11 Premier League games as Aston Villa, too savvy and assured for a relegation-threatened opponent, ensured there would be no new managerial bounce at Goodison Park.

- Andy Hunter

Ollie Watkins struck the only goal of a tight contest to give Unai Emery's side a merited win and condemn Everton to a third league defeat in succession. Dominic Calvert-Lewin had a glorious chance to level in the 93rd minute but blazed over from Jesper Lindstrøm's cross. Until or unless Moyes can eke improvement from Calvert-Lewin and the forwards he has inherited, the immediate goal of Premier League survival will remain fraught with difficulty. Villa, from Premier League promotion to Champions League qualification inside six seasons, continue to look in the opposite direction.

Moyes was out on the pitch long before kick-off, just as he was prior to his first game as Everton manager on 16 March 2002. Unlike the 2-1 win against Fulham that day, when the then youngest manager in the Premier League surprised the Goodison crowd by taking the warmup, the now oldest manager in the Premier League was content to stand in the centre circle and chat to an old familiar face from the groundstaff. The 61-year-old was so enthused to be back that he started waving to the home crowd before the stadium announcer had finished reading out the teams and moved on to introducing the club's latest manager. Moyes received a rousing reception when his name was finally announced.