Everton continue their Carabao Cup journey tonight as they travel to Aston Villa in the third round.
The Blues, fresh from Saturday's emphatic victory over Brentford in the Premier League, will be looking build some momentum ahead of two huge games before the October international break.
Wednesday will be Everton's second visit to Villa Park this season, with the Blues having lost 4-0 to Unai Emery's side back in August.
Kicking off at 7:45pm, Chris Beesley and Joe Thomas will be at Villa Park to bring you all the team news, updates and post-match reaction.
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Key Events
- Draw coming up shortly
- Teams through to the next round
- FT: Aston Villa 1-2 Everton
- GOAL! Aston Villa 1-2 Everton (Kamara)
- GOAL! Aston Villa 0-2 Everton (Calvert-Lewin)
Connor O'Neill
Joe Thomas verdict
The noise that reverberated around Villa Park in the final moments of the first half told the story.
A rare Aston Villa attack had petered out and a team that was searching for a way to go forward could only go backward. The ball was fed back to centre back Ezri Konsa, who sent it to goalkeeper Robin Olsen, who farmed it out to his other centre back, Pau Torres.
All three were relieved to have possession without being immediately set upon by a pack of Royal Blue shirts but the home fans could only groan as they once again saw a side furnished with attacking talent being forced to retreat.
That had been the dominant narrative of the first half. It became the storyline of the game after Everton built on the exceptional away display at Brentford at the weekend with an even better performance against even stronger opponents. This was not just another win. It was another deserved victory.
Connor O'Neill
Player ratings
Everton's season is fully up and running after a brilliant 2-1 win at Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
Goals either side of half time from James Garner and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were enough for Sean Dyches's side to overcome the Midlands outfit. The goal would've been especially satisfying for the latter, who was forced out of the 4-0 loss at the same venue last month.
The win comes on the back of another excellent victory at Brentford in the Premier League, which pushed the Blues away from the bottom of the league.
Next up is a home clash with Luton Town on Saturday, who are waiting for their first point back in the top flight.
Chris Beesley was in attendance at Villa Park and graded the performance of the Everton players.
Tom Cavilla
Back-to-back wins
Everton have now won away at two top-flight clubs in the space of a week for the first time in nine years, having beaten Brentford and Aston Villa.
Tom Cavilla
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and two more excellent in brilliant Aston Villa win
Jordan Pickford 8
Made a crucial save with his leg to deny Moussa Diaby shortly after Everton had gone 2-0 up and while the deflection off Keane wrong-footed him for Boubacar Kamara’s goal, he then thwarted Diaby again with a spectacular parry.
Nathan Patterson 7
Plenty of energy as you’d expect having been recalled in the wing-back role that favours his attacking tendencies, he also produced an intelligent display.
Vitalii Mykolenko 6
Got a lecture off manager Sean Dyche when one move up the left flank broke down but he worked hard to try and provide an outlet before making way at half-time.
James Tarkowski 7
Booked for clattering substitute Ollie Watkins, the captain operated in the middle of Everton’s three centre-backs ensuring he was often the spare man and this enabled him to show some silk as well as steel to his game with his passing.
Michael Keane 7
Triumphant return to the scene of his chastening display just five weeks ago – this was his first start against Premier League opposition since – but he got the simple things right this time and was far-more accomplished with his deflection on Kamara’s shot particularly unfortunate.
To read the rest of Chris Beesley's ratings, click here.
KEY EVENT
Draw coming up shortly
The draw for the fourth round of the Carabao Cup will be coming up very soon.
Head over to our dedicated blog for the draw by clicking here.
Tom Cavilla
FT reaction
This was the reaction from the Everton supporters inside Villa Park at the full-time whistle after a well-deserved win for Sean Dyche's side!
KEY EVENT
Teams through to the next round
Joining Everton in the hat for the fourth round draw will be
- Middlesbrough
- Exeter
- Ipswich
- Mansfield
- Port Vale
- Burnley
- Manchester United
- Blackburn
- Bournemouth
- Arsenal
- Chelsea
- Fulham
- West Ham
- Liverpool
- Newcastle or Manchester City [still ongoing]
KEY EVENT
FT: Aston Villa 1-2 Everton
Everton are through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup courtesy of goals from James Garner and Dominic Calvert-Lewin! A big performance from Sean Dyche's side.
Aston Villa 1-2 EvertonJoe Thomas
Beto goes to ground
Beto goes down in the area and I think he fell over under his own steam. Villa have the ball and are trying to push forward but great work from McNeil leads to a harmless long ball being sent forward.
Aston Villa 1-2 EvertonJoe Thomas
Villa piling on the pressure
It’s all Villa, as Keane hammers clear a through ball. Beto now wins the ball on the edge of the Villa box after fighting hard for a seemingly lost cause. Buys his defence some respite as the away end give us a chorus of ‘Everton, Everton’
Aston Villa 1-2 EvertonTom Cavilla
+5
Five minutes of additional time will be played.
Aston Villa 1-2 EvertonJoe Thomas
Lucky escape
And now Doucoure is late on Kamara some 30 yards out, centrally. Lucky not to be booked on first glance.
Aston Villa 1-2 EvertonJoe Thomas
Coming together
Bit of a tussle developing between Doucoure and Luiz, who just tried to shove each other after scuffling for the ball.
Aston Villa 1-2 EvertonJoe Thomas
Beto chance
Aston Villa 1-2 EvertonJoe Thomas
Slice of luck
Huge piece of fortune for Villa – one they do not deserve. You can hear their fans for the first time tonight. Kamara’s half volley went through a fleet of Blue shirts charging out to him and hit Keane, wrong-footing Pickford.
KEY EVENT
GOAL! Aston Villa 1-2 Everton (Kamara)
Villa pull one goal back as Kamara’s deflected shot wrong-foots Pickford.
Aston Villa 0-2 EvertonChris Beesley
Onana departs
Huge cheers for Onana as he makes way for Doucoure.
Aston Villa 0-2 EvertonJoe Thomas
Keane magic
Michael Keane has just skipped inside Douglas Luiz and forced a clumsy foul from Tielemans as he danced around the Villa midfield. What a night.
Aston Villa 0-2 EvertonJoe Thomas
DCL reception
Huge reception for Calvert-Lewin as he leaves the pitch. Huge contrast to the disappointment as he was subbed off with his facial injury here a few weeks ago.
Aston Villa 0-2 EvertonChris Beesley
Double change
Double substitution for Everton as Beto replaces Calvert-Lewin and Gueye comes on for Danjuma.
Chris Beesley
Fighting spirit
Everyone working hard for Everton and Keane refuses to give up on a ball heading out for a corner and knocks it out for a mere throw-in instead.
Aston Villa 0-2 EvertonJoe Thomas
Change incoming
Beto about to be the next player to come on
Aston Villa 0-2 EvertonTom Cavilla
Tarkowski booked
The Everton defender is shown a yellow card for clattering Watkins
Aston Villa 0-2 EvertonChris Beesley
McNeil introduced
Debutant Harrison makes way after a productive first 65 minutes for Everton as Dwight McNeil comes on.
Aston Villa 0-2 EvertonChris Beesley
Olsen save
Another chance for Calvert-Lewin with a low left foot effort but Olsen saves and Villa smuggle the ball to safety.
Aston Villa 0-2 EvertonChris Beesley
Onana off target
Those same supporters cry “shoot” when Onana gets the ball 20 yards out but his effort curls over the bar.
Aston Villa 0-2 EvertonChris Beesley
Away following
Everton’s fans have been in full voice all evening and they’re enjoying this right now, cheering their team on.
Aston Villa 0-2 EvertonChris Beesley
Pickford save
Big save by Pickford with his leg to deny Diaby. The Everton fans behind him chant: “England’s number one.”
KEY EVENT
GOAL! Aston Villa 0-2 Everton (Calvert-Lewin)
Fantastic goal from Everton’s number nine as he bursts past Konsa and then gives Olsen the eyes before slotting low to the keeper’s right!
Aston Villa 0-1 EvertonTom Cavilla
Garner booked
Everton goalscorer Garner booked for pulling back Zaniolo.