Second Half Winner Lifts Aston Villa

Anwar El Ghazi’s superb second-half strike secured victory for Aston Villa and dealt a significant blow to Everton’s hopes of finishing in the top four of the Premier League.

El Ghazi curled home from the edge of the box with 10 minutes remaining to secure Villa only their third win in their last 11 league games.

Everton had started the day six points off the top four but this defeat, coupled with a win for Chelsea, means they are now nine points adrift of Thomas Tuchel’s side.

El Ghazi’s winner was the only highlight of a relatively flat second half that failed to build on a pulsating first.

Ollie Watkins opened the scoring when he pounced on a mistake by Mason Holgate before slotting past Jordan Pickford.

However, Everton hit back soon after when Dominic Calvert-Lewin powered home a header following a corner.

Home keeper Pickford then twice denied Watkins with excellent saves to keep Villa at bay, while ex-Everton midfielder Ross Barkley struck the post with a low effort from range.

But despite Pickford’s best efforts Villa secured the three points when El Ghazi struck late on.