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Unai Emery Aston Villa masterclass delivers humiliating defeat on hapless Everton
Unai Emery Aston Villa masterclass delivers humiliating defeat on hapless Everton
Opening-day results can set the tone for a season. Sometimes they don’t, however. Aston Villa’s heaviest defeat at the start of the season in almost four decades may have looked like an anomaly when they were destroyed by Newcastle. It certainly did eight days later. A game later, Villa have wiped out their goal difference. Hammered one week ago, today they inflicted a humiliating defeat on the Toffees. Everton were eviscerated. If there was a deceptive scoreline now, it was because the margin flattered Sean Dyche’s hapless team. They take the place at the bottom of the league that Villa had occupied: unlike them, they could stay there. Villa were terrific. Play like this and it is tempting to wonder how much higher a team who surged from relegation contention to seventh last season can go. Certainly, the ambition that accompanied Unai Emery’s appointment is reflected on the pitch. There was a speed of foot and thought, a sharpness and a style, an evident enthusiasm to suggest that the Spaniard’s impact will not be confined to his first few months. An eighth straight home win – the sort of statistic Everton can only dream of – came with a sense of normality. Villa Park now expects a side brimming with energy and ideas to secure this kind of result. They played with a confidence to bely three setbacks: the loss at St James’ Park and the loss of Emi Buendia and Tyrone Mings. But Emery’s rebuilding job has taken on an auspicious look. Pau Torres cruised through his home debut. Moussa Diaby almost marked his with a stunning goal – Jordan Pickford excelling to turn a thunderous volley onto the post – and was still only the second most impressive former Bayer Leverkusen winger. Youri Tielemans was limited to a cameo: Villa’s midfield options are such that he may have to wait a little longer. But much of Emery’s brilliance has been reflected by his inheritance and how he has altered perceptions and results. Bailey has been an inconsistent presence, an expert at flattering to deceive in his first two seasons in the Midlands. An assist and a goal were allied with razor-sharp running. Bailey was a catalyst in a way he had been too rarely. The merits of Emery’s narrow 4-2-2-2 formation were shown by the first goal: one of the tucked-in, attacking midfielders crossed for the other to score, Bailey picking out John McGinn to finish from four yards. It is a system that also gives Villa a surfeit of players in the centre of the pitch and they cut through Everton; too easily, too often. There was a sense that Dyche’s team were too slow to react to everything, perhaps summed up when Pickford clattered into Ollie Watkins, rendering Nathan Patterson’s goal-line clearance from the striker irrelevant. Douglas Luiz has replaced Watkins on spot-kick duty – perhaps another illustration of Emery’s attention to detail and certainly rewarding a player transformed under his tutelage – and he converted from 12 yards. And yet, well-coached as Villa are, slick as some of their moves were, two of their goals stemmed simply from Everton errors. Maybe they were frazzled by Villa’s verve and relentlessness. There could be a few other excuses for Michael Keane’s twin mistakes: first, he only redirected a throw to Bailey, who dispatched a half-volley. Then, worse, came a wild swing at thin air, allowing Jhon Duran to run on and score a first Villa goal, 50 seconds after the introduction. It may have been especially welcome. Villa are well-stocked in several positions but not for out-and-out strikers. Watkins, who did everything but score, lacks a high-class deputy. His young understudy accepted the opportunity. Another substitute was more ill-fated: Philippe Coutinho was hamstrung and in considerable pain. Injuries have been Everton’s constant companion in recent years. On a day when virtually everything that could go wrong did, it was perhaps unsurprising that Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s comeback lasted a mere 37 minutes with the striker hurt after colliding with Emi Martinez. Alex Iwobi went off, too, while Idrissa Gueye’s removal was probably to stop him being sent off. Everton could argue last week’s loss to Fulham offered encouragement, in the number of chances created. This offered none, a side devoid of organisation and fight showing no quality. Maybe there was a deceptive element to their start, too: it could be worse than being beaten by Fulham at Goodison Park implied. Read More Eddie Howe relishing selection dilemmas as Newcastle prepare for packed season Aston Villa suffer another blow as extent of Tyrone Mings knee injury revealed Ashley Young embracing challenge of turning things around for Everton
2023-08-20 23:51
Bill Hwang Seeks Evidence From Banks ‘Pivotal’ in Archegos Collapse
Bill Hwang Seeks Evidence From Banks ‘Pivotal’ in Archegos Collapse
Archegos Capital Management’s Bill Hwang asked the judge in his criminal fraud case to let him demand evidence
2023-07-28 05:46
Israeli forces clash with Hamas gunmen after hundreds killed
Israeli forces clash with Hamas gunmen after hundreds killed
By Maayan Lubell, Nidal al-Mughrabi and Ammar Awad JERUSALEM/GAZA/SDEROT Israeli forces clashed with gunmen from the Palestinian group
2023-10-08 11:40
'Bachelor' star Matt James' mom Patty is hoping to find love on 'The Golden Bachelor'
'Bachelor' star Matt James' mom Patty is hoping to find love on 'The Golden Bachelor'
ABC's new senior-focused "Bachelor" franchise spinoff "The Golden Bachelor," starring 71-year-old Gerry Turner, has a familiar face among its newly announced cast.
2023-08-31 04:15
Bluesky, championed by Jack Dorsey, was supposed to be Twitter 2.0. Can it succeed?
Bluesky, championed by Jack Dorsey, was supposed to be Twitter 2.0. Can it succeed?
Bluesky is the internet’s hottest members-only spot at the moment
2023-06-07 01:43
Liverpool transfer rumours: Thuram 'seduced' by Reds; Van de Ven deal 'agreed'
Liverpool transfer rumours: Thuram 'seduced' by Reds; Van de Ven deal 'agreed'
Friday's Liverpool transfer rumours include updates on Khephren Thuram, Micky van de Ven, Gabri Veiga, Fabio Carvalho & more.
2023-06-16 23:45
Slumping Rangers activate All-Star pitcher Nathan Eovaldi from IL to start key game vs. Astros
Slumping Rangers activate All-Star pitcher Nathan Eovaldi from IL to start key game vs. Astros
All-Star right-hander Nathan Eovaldi has been activated from the injured list to start for the Texas Rangers in the middle game of their pivotal AL West series against the Houston Astros
2023-09-06 04:57
AP photos of Kashmir's mental health clinics show the invisible scars of decades of conflict
AP photos of Kashmir's mental health clinics show the invisible scars of decades of conflict
For over three decades, Kashmiris have been living through multiple crises
2023-09-02 12:27
Manchester United transfer news: Rasmus Hojlund, Dean Henderson, Sofyan Amrabat, Eric Bailly and more
Manchester United transfer news: Rasmus Hojlund, Dean Henderson, Sofyan Amrabat, Eric Bailly and more
With the transfer window well underway, Manchester United have made two moves with the signing of Mason Mount from Chelsea and Andre Onana from Inter, with more certain to follow. Erik ten Hag is somewhat restrained by the fact the club takeover is dragging on, but additions will be made with a No.9, a new central midfielder and potentially a defensive addition all reported to be on the wishlist in the next two months. To generate the necessary funds, player sales are required, but offers for players such as Scott McTominay, Anthony Martial and Harry Maguire have so far been limited. United finished in the top four and reached two cup finals last season, a big improvement on their competitiveness in previous campaigns - but more is still required to challenge at the very top. Here’s the latest news and updates concerning any transfers to and from Old Trafford: Rasmus Hojlund United remain seeking a new No.9 to fit Ten Hag’s plan, though little movement has been achieved. Both Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen have long been linked with the club, but it appears the desire and ability to acquire either of these two quality strikers has rapidly diminished within the United camp. However, Rasmus Hojlund remains a consistent name in United’s transfer rumours. According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United will submit their first official bid for the striker next week, with the 20-year-old Hojlund eager to join. However, the clubs seem to be far apart when it comes to agreeing on a transfer fee. Hojlund’s club, Atalanta, reportedly valued the Danish striker at £86m, with United keen not to spend over £60m for the Dane. Sofyan Amrabat After his stellar performance at the World Cup in December last year, Sofyan Amrabat attracted interest from a host of top European clubs. This summer could now be the time that the Fiorentina midfielder makes his move with Manchester United one of the clubs keen to negotiate a deal for the Moroccan international. While a deal for Hojlund remains their priority, Fabrizio Romano reports that the Red Devils may look to make a move for Amrabat at some point in the window with the departure of Fred or Scott McTominay potentially funding the move which would cost around €30m. Dean Henderson Despite the departure of David de Gea, it would appear that Dean Henderson’s time at the Manchester club may be coming to an end after the arrival of Andre Onana earlier in the window. The goalkeeper spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest and according to Rudy Galetti, both clubs are in advanced negotiations which would see the 26-year-old return on a permanent basis. Forest are already closing in on another United player with a deal agreed for winger Antony Elanga but there is confidence that Henderson could soon follow with personal terms already agreed. Henderson played 18 games for Forest last year before a thigh injury in January saw him sidelined for the rest of the season. Eric Bailly The Ivorian centre-back has been at the club since 2016 but has seen his time ruined with injuries and a lack of form, starting just 20 games in his last three seasons. Bailly spent last year on loan at Marseille but, with one year left on his contract, looks set to leave the club. The 29-year-old was left out of United’s pre-season tour to the United States with Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth reporting that Bailly could be the latest player to make the move to Saudi Arabia. There is reported interest from two clubs with a deal likely to last three years and worth in the region of £20 million. Jack and Tyler Fletcher Sons of former Manchester United midfielder, Darren Fletcher, Jack and Tyler Fletcher could be the latest additions to the famous Manchester United academy. The twins currently play for rivals, Manchester City, but according to Fabrizio Romano, both clubs are closing in on a deal that would see the pair move across the city to join up with their father who has been Technical Director at the club since 2021. The fee, reported to be over £1m, would also be a UK record for a player under 16. Read More Tottenham transfer news: Harry Kane, Giovani Lo Celso, Conor Gallagher, Tosin Adarabioyo and more Liverpool transfer news: Romeo Lavia, Joshua Kimmich, Cheick Doucoure, Thiago and more Chelsea transfer news: Michael Olise, Marc Guehi, Moises Caicedo, Callum Hudson-Odoi and more
2023-07-25 00:36
PGA Tour 2K23 Release Date: When is it?
PGA Tour 2K23 Release Date: When is it?
Here's a breakdown of the PGA Tour 2K23 release date.
1970-01-01 08:00
Scientists discover duck-billed dinosaur roamed Chile 72 million years ago
Scientists discover duck-billed dinosaur roamed Chile 72 million years ago
SANTIAGO A duck-billed herbivorous dinosaur roamed the ancient and remote river plains of Patagonia in southern Chile some
2023-06-17 02:33
South Korea's Yoon will warn APEC leaders about the risks of a Russia-North Korea arms deal
South Korea's Yoon will warn APEC leaders about the risks of a Russia-North Korea arms deal
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol says he will discuss international response to the purported North Korean-Russian weapons deal during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco this week
2023-11-14 09:04