Everton expectation and frustration shows progress in Villa draw

Expectation. Excitement. There was even some enjoyment. I could get used to this at home.

Ultimately, Evertonians left Hill Dickinson Stadium frustrated after having to settle for a point against Villa on Saturday but overall there were a number of positives to take. We sat with bated breath as the Blues attacked and believed we could get the goal. It’s a much nicer and fulfilling feeling than the boredom and tedium of recent seasons.

On another day, Everton beat Aston Villa and quite comprehensively too.

Beto squandered three chances he’ll know he should have done better with while Emiliano Martinez made two fine stops which will look even better on Match of the Day. The team showed plenty of application, the play flowed to an extent and they probably deserved to make it three wins from three. While Villa have some quality players with John McGinn orchestrating, they looked quite ordinary today and couldn’t really get going in the first half. Whether they went short or long, Everton answered their questions with ease.

Jack Grealish will definitely be the difference maker this season and he toyed with Matty Cash like a cat with a mouse at times. He teases with the ball, always in control and waiting to pounce. Grealish put a fine ball in for Michael Keane to glance a header at goal which was well saved while another time he literally turned the right-back inside out. Watching him edge towards the six-yard box, time stands still as you wait in anticipation, knowing something will happen.

Seeing such poise and skill from a £100m player in the South Stand was worth the entry fee. Grealish creates suspense and you can’t help but edge forward with him as he crafts an opening.

Iliman Ndiaye on the other wing continued to glide past the opposition and seems to grow an extra pair of feet when required, such is his dexterity to keep the ball and move away from the tightest of crowded spots right into a chasm of space.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was his usual busy self and showed plenty of energy while Merlin Rohl off the bench looks like could match that impetus in the middle. It all bodes well.

James Garner’s excellent reading of the game saw him snuff out a number of Villa balls from the right and his utility credentials grow by the game. Deputising again at left-back, he is still missed in midfield.

Michael Keane was solid again while James Tarkowski alongside him was much improved after a rocky start to the season. Jake O’Brien put in another solid display and is appearing more confident to whip balls in when going on a foray down the wing.

As time went on, the game needed Thierno Barry from the bench I think as his ability to hold up play and link it would get more from those buzzing behind him. The Frenchman probably came on a bit too late. I’m in no doubt Beto could score 10 to 15 goals in a season as he always in with a sniff but here at Hill Dickinson Stadium, he simply had one of those days where his shooting was simply off. The way he shaped for his chances, he lacked composure. Those more critical may well be right to put the dropped points at his door but, he was often in the right place at the right time; so there’s that. He’ll get his league goal at home soon enough.

All in all, that was a dominant display from David Moyes’ men. In some ways, that was our best performance of the season in terms of how the team functioned front and back.

It feels like there is something building that we could really get behind so grab hold for the journey. The destination is still unknown but it’s nice to be on the right path at least.

Feed the Yak

After watching Beto today, I realised the best finisher I’ve so far seen at Bramley Moore is probably Yakubu. In the Legends Game against Roma, he showed his capabilities in front of goal haven’t left him. You’ve either got it or you haven’t. He’s still got it.

Evertonians used to sing ‘Feed the Yak’ and with the chances created today, you can’t help but feel he’d have eaten like a king. If only he was 27 again.

Bramley Moore Bear-Pit?

Referee Simon Hooper had a shocker of a game, making a stream of daft calls and stopping the game from flowing. Other times, he missed the most blatant fouls. Grealish appeared incensed at one point as Villa continued to be let off the hook.

What was pleasing was to see the bear-pit  energy travel from Goodison to Bramley Moore. It wasn’t as guttural or bilious as I’ve heard in the Gwladys Street but the frustration was there in every swear word shouted in the direction of the pitch.

An animated Everton end triggered by shocking calls has been known to be the catalyst for a win and that fact will be proved again this season. There is no doubt about it as Premier League referees continue to make a mess of the game.

Branthwaite Boost

Everton are trucking along quite nicely and still have Jarrad Branthwaite to come back into the fold. When the defender returns from injury, he’ll further boost the backline but I’m excited to see the influence he’ll also have on the team going forward. He’s brave on the ball and likes to play purposeful balls into feet. With Dewsbury-Hall, Garner, Rohl, Ndiaye and Grealing to pick out, his comeback should see Everton take it up another gear.

Villa’s Villain

I’ve seen Evann Guessand linked to Newcastle for a long time but leaving Nice this summer, it was Aston Villa he joined.

Coming on today, he was a proper competitor, shoulder barging people off the ball and being a general nuisance. Itritating for us but it’s what you need away from home and Guessand helped Villa earn a point. He was a bit of a shithouse really. Every team needs one.