Villa wing-backs expose Benitez reshuffle before Bailey comes on for the kill
3-0
Rafael Benitez’s glum expression after his first defeat as Everton manager came after suffering tactical problems – in particular Aston Villa’s use of wing-backs to trouble his full-backs.
Benitez was unfortunate that the likes of Jordan Pickford, Seamus Coleman and Richarlison were added to his casualty list before this game, but instead of using wing-backs himself, he opted for a back four – which was ultimately worn down and exposed during a brutal nine-minute spell in the second half when Villa raced into a 3-0 lead.
Villa had Matty Cash as the right wing-back, with Matt Targett on the left, and their advanced positions revealed their freedom to attack.
Lucas Digne had to deal with it as Everton’s left-back, while Ben Godfrey stepped in at rightback, and the last thing they needed, with the score at 0-0, was for the lively Leon Bailey to come on in the 61st minute.
What followed was Everton’s dam quickly bursting. Cash finally cracked Digne, who was shrugged off in a foot race, and powered in his first goal for Villa. Douglas Luiz providing the soft, one-touch pass for the assist was also telling. After John Mcginn went off in a 40th-minute concussion substitution, Luiz started operating in a more attacking role, showing why he has been selected by Brazil recently.
The hapless Digne came off his near post at a corner and headed into his own net to make it 2-0 – and Godfrey was exposed for the third goal, when he left gaping space on the right flank and was caught out by Danny Ings’s lofted pass, not being able to catch up with scorer Bailey.
Benitez was viewed sceptically in some quarters as a pragmatist – but, ironically, security is an area he needs to improve now when key firstteamers are out.