As Steven Gerrard defeated his former midfield rival Frank Lampard, Aston Villa’s Premier League campaign got off to a winning start against Everton with to goals from Danny Ings and Emiliano Buendia.
Ollie Watkins, making his first start of the year, found strike partner Ings inside the box, and he turned sharply before shooting clinically into the net to give the home team the lead midway through the first half.
As Vila pushed for a second goal, substitute Buendia saw a deflected shot cleared off the line. The second goal was eventually scored in the closing minutes when Buendia stabbed in after a nice play.
Lucas Digne turned a cross into his own net immediately after to give Everton hope, and they staged a late rally as Gordon was twice denied by Martinez, but Villa held firm to take the three points.
