Villa blitzToffees, andRooneysays he’llstandbyRams
Aston Villa’s second-half blitz downed Everton as the hosts ran riot to clinch a superb 3-0 win.
They scored three times in nine minutes with Matty Cash, Lucas Digne’s own goal and Leon Bailey easing them to victory at Villa Park.
The Toffees remain fifth, with Villa climbing to 10th in the table.
Villa found plenty of early joy and Danny Ings volleyed over after a neat free-kick routine, but still lacked the final pass to really open Everton up.
There had been few clear openings for either side, but Villa remained sharper than Everton.
Villa took total control with three goals in nine minutes though. With 24 minutes left, Cash cut inside to fire high past Asmir Begovic for his first Villa goal. Then Digne glanced Bailey’s corner into his own net to double Villa’s lead.
Jacob Ramsey shot wide, but worse was to come for the Toffees with 15 minutes left when Ings picked out Bailey on the left and the Jamaica international raced through to blast past in.
Elsewhere, manager Daniel Farke was left to rue defensive mistakes as Norwich’s losing start was extended to five games following a 3-1 defeat to Watford at Carrow Road.
Ismaila Sarr proved too good for the Norwich defence with his brace.
The Hornets had taken an early lead as Emmanuel Dennis headed past Tim Krul after being marked poorly in the 17th minute, but Norwich levelled via Teemu Pukki before the break.
However, in the second half, Watford took a decisive lead in the 63rd minute with Sarr beating Grant Hanley to the ball, before flicking it in and then being first to a parried shot from Josh King to tap home 10 minutes from time.
“It’s a tough day,” Farke admitted. “It’s also tough to take because first of all we wanted to make a mark. In general football is quite an awful thing.
“It was a tight game, 50% possession, but we had three really crucial mistakes.
“We wasn’t clinical in our own box and of course the goals change the momentum of the game and the situation, it was not one situation.”
In the Championship, Wayne Rooney insisted he is committed to Derby County, despite the club’s impending administration.
The Rams boss said he is ready to “rebuild” after a 2-1 win over Stoke City.
Derby delivered a vibrant performance and led via Max Bird’s 25-yard strike in the 32nd minute.
Curtis Davies headed a second two minutes later, but Stoke pulled a goal back in the 58th minute with Tom Ince striding onto a Mario Vrancic pass to fire low past Kelle Roos.
Rooney said: “I’ve said a few times I’m committed to this club.
“We will get through this for the better. We are going to have tough times in the near future, but it’s my job now to start rebuilding this club.”