Everton end Villa Park fortress to dent Aston Villa’s title charge

Aston Villa's formidable home run came to a jarring halt as Everton claimed a deserved 1-0 victory at Villa Park, dealing a blow to the hosts' hopes of keeping pace with Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Unai Emery's side arrived full of confidence after 11 straight league wins at home, but they never found their usual rhythm against an Everton team that looked sharper and better organised from the outset. The visitors nearly stunned Villa Park inside 15 seconds when Merlin Rohl raced on to a long clearance and struck the post.

Everton later had a goal ruled out when Jake O'Brien headed home from a corner, with VAR judging Harrison Armstrong to be interfering from an offside position. Villa's afternoon was further disrupted when captain John McGinn was forced off early with a knee injury, draining momentum from an already disjointed display.

The hosts still created chances, with Morgan Rogers testing Jordan Pickford and substitute Evann Guessand rattling the crossbar with a looping header. However, the decisive moment arrived just before the hour mark after a costly mix-up at the back. Pau Torres miscontrolled possession and, although Emiliano Martinez should have dealt with Dwight McNeil's shot, he spilled the ball to Thierno Barry, who lifted a composed finish into the net.

Villa pushed for an equaliser, but their play lacked urgency and precision. Pickford produced a fine save to deny Rogers, yet Everton held firm to end Villa's long unbeaten home run.

The defeat leaves Villa seven points behind Arsenal, while Everton's impressive away win boosts their own push towards the European places.

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