Everton produced a disciplined and decisive display to win 1-0 at Aston Villa, denying the hosts the chance to move into second place in the Premier League.
With Arsenal and Manchester City dropping points on Saturday, Villa knew victory would have closed the gap on the leaders and strengthened their title credentials.
However, they were left frustrated as Thierno Barry’s instinctive second-half finish settled the contest.
Villa arrived on an 11-game winning run at home and unbeaten at Villa Park since August, but Everton disrupted that momentum from the opening seconds.
Merlin Rohl almost stunned the crowd after just 11 seconds when he raced onto a long clearance and struck the post with a low finish.
That early warning set the tone for an Everton side that looked sharper, more aggressive and comfortable without the ball.
Everton denied a deserved lead when Jake O’Brien headed home from a corner, only for the goal to be ruled out after VAR judged Harrison Armstrong to be offside.
Villa struggled for fluency and were further unsettled when captain John McGinn was forced off early with a knee injury.
Evann Guessand replaced him and later came close to scoring, looping a header against the crossbar with Jordan Pickford rooted.
Morgan Rogers also threatened for the hosts, but Everton’s defensive structure limited Villa to half-chances.
The breakthrough arrived just before the hour mark following a costly mistake from Emiliano Martinez.
Dwight McNeil’s curling effort should have been routine for the Villa goalkeeper, but he spilt the ball into Barry’s path.
The Everton striker showed composure and imagination, lifting a delicate finish over Martinez to score the only goal.
Villa responded with urgency, pushing bodies forward in search of an equaliser. Pickford produced his best moment late on, flying across his goal to keep out Rogers’ curling effort.
Everton remained organised under pressure, with James Tarkowski and O’Brien commanding the centre of defence.
Villa ran out of ideas, and the atmosphere inside the stadium flattened. The final whistle confirmed a significant away victory for Everton and a missed opportunity for Villa.
Unai Emery’s side are level on points with City but below them on goal difference. They are seven points behind Arsenal.
