That said, Villa were superior in the first half and might have taken the lead with sharper finishing. Everton were grateful for the suspension of Ollie Watkins, who had tormented them when Villa won 2-1 at Goodison Park a fortnight ago. Keinan Davis, entrusted with his first league start of the season, is a useful target man but not as dynamic as Watkins. It fell to Ross Barkley to do most of the harassing of Everton defenders when Villa did not have the ball: he did so diligently but, when he got possession, was wasteful too often. He was replaced after the hour by Jacob Ramsey.