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| Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring the team's first goal from a penalty kick during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Aston Villa at Goodison Park on February 25, 2023 in Liverpool, England. |
Ollie Watkins continued his excellent form in the Premier League as Aston Villa's 2-0 victory sent Everton back into the relegation zone.
Striker Watkins netted for a fifth consecutive league game, thumping home a second-half penalty after former Villa midfielder Idrissa Gueye tripped John McGinn in the box.
It is a costly defeat for Sean Dyche's men, who return to the bottom three after West Ham United and Leeds United both collected three points.
Toffees players and supporters will have left Goodison Park wondering how they went home empty handed, having spurned the better chances.
Neal Maupay's diving header was cleared off the line by Tyrone Mings while his tame, side-footed effort was gathered by Emiliano Martinez
The Argentina World Cup winner made a superb reflex to deny Amadou Onana's towering header, tipping the Belgium midfielder's effort over the crossbar.
Jordan Pickford clawed Watkins' header onto the post while at full stretch, but the Villa front man was not to be denied from the spot with a confidently taken penalty.
Substitute Emiliano Buendia sealed the points with nine minutes remaining, turning inside Conor Coady before smashing past Pickford at the near post.
