Aston Villa vs Everton Player Ratings: Garner shines again in fantastic away win | OneFootball

Everton produced another superb performance on the road and secured a massive 1-0 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Thierno Barry scored the only goal of the game to prevent Unai Emery’s side from going second in the league table. The Blues’ display tonight was impressive after their dismal exit from the FA Cup against Sunderland last weekend.

David Moyes’ side stunned the home crowd into silence just 11 seconds into the game after Merlin Rohl struck the post from Jordan Pickford’s long ball. It laid down the marker for the rest of the contest as Everton kept plugging away.

Jake O’Brien thought he had scored the opener from a fantastic James Garner cross before seeing the linesman’s flag as he turned away to celebrate. VAR review showed that O’Brien was behind the line. However, the goal was ruled out anyway with Harrison Armstrong offside and deemed to have been influencing the play.

Barry finally put the Toffees ahead just before the hour-mark after cleverly chipping the ball over Emiliano Martinez at the near post following his save off Dwight McNeil’s attempt. It was the summer signing's third goal in four league matches.

Everton held on to secure three important points against a top side to climb to 10th in the league table after the dismal results of recent weeks.

Here are the player ratings from Everton’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa:

Jordan Pickford: 8

It was Pickford’s early long ball that led to the Rohl chance just 11 seconds into the match at Villa Park that set the marker for Moyes’ men. He produced an outrageous save off Morgan Rogers in the second half while also thwarting another effort from him in the first half.

Nathan Patterson: 7.5

Patterson produced an encouraging display and kept the likes of Buendia and Maatsen quiet. He made a crucial clearance from a ball delivered across the face of goal and also got forward on a few occasions.

James Tarkowski: 8

Made a crucial interception to nick the ball off Emi Buendia and Tarkowski kept things tight at the back. Although a few of his passes in the first half were sloppy, he had a strong second half.

Jake O’Brien: 8

O’Brien thought he had the ball inside the back of the net from Garner’s cross but VAR ruled it out with Armstrong in an offside position in the buildup to it. The jury, however, remains out on whether he influenced the play or not. O’Brien was also fantastic at the back and produced a crucial block off Morgan Rogers’ chance from close range.

Vitalii Mykolenko: 6

Mykolenko did well to put off Evann Guessand from finding the goal from Youri Tieleman’s defence-splitting pass in the first half. However, he was fortunate that Guessand’s header only hit the crossbar after losing an aerial duel later in the game.

The left-back also had a shot at goal from Rohl’s pass that got tipped over the bar by Emi Martinez.

James Garner: 8.5

The way James Garner has stepped up this season and delivered responsible performances has been wonderful to witness. Garner didn’t put a foot wrong and dictated matters in the engine room at Villa Park.

He was always available for a pass and won the most tackles and duels in the game. He delivered the outstanding ball for O’Brien to head home which was given as offside.

Merlin Rohl: 7.5

Rohl almost put Everton ahead with 11 seconds on the clock. Receiving the chested pass from Barry, he controlled the ball before unleashing a shot that struck the far post before ricocheting back out. While he had a few losses of the ball, it was Rohl’s best game in an Everton shirt as he kept things ticking in the middle.

Harrison Armstrong: 7

There’s no way that David Moyes let Armstrong leave on loan again even when he has a fully fit squad. In just a short number of games since being recalled from his loan spell at Preston, Armstrong has won over the fanbase with his intelligence and composure.

His performance against Aston Villa was astute, although he was harshly ruled as offside in the build-up to O’Brien’s first-half header.

Dwight McNeil: 7

McNeil reacted well to Pau Torres’ mistake and it was his initial shot saved by Emi Martinez that led to Everton’s opening goal, converted by Barry. He also worked his socks off defensively.

Thierno Barry: 8 (replaced by Beto at 83’)

Barry’s smart chipped finish at the near post helped Everton secure another fantastic away win. He had a good start to the game, bringing the ball down well for Rohl to have a shot at goal.

The Frenchman also used his physique well to win duels and his linkup play was effective. An encouraging performance from the young striker capped off with his third goal in the last four league matches.

Jack Grealish: 7

Grealish brought a calm influence in possession despite the constant boos at Villa Park. He kept winning free-kicks to disrupt the hosts’ rhythm and also had a volleyed effort at the back post from a corner.

Substitutions

Beto: N/A

Reader Comments (19)

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Sean Kearns 2 Posted 18/01/2026 at 20:21:52

Jake was a 9 or even a 10 in my book! The lad didn’t put a foot wrong, as he did in the Forest win too!….. he totally beasts the box and uses his size tremendously. What an athlete.

3 Posted 18/01/2026 at 20:52:24

Best performances of the season by Rohl, Patterson, Barry, McNeil, Armstrong and O'Brien, and probably Garner too, although he's had several brilliant efforts.

That's how you beat a quality club in their own back yard.

Dave Lynch 5 Posted 18/01/2026 at 21:19:50

Garner a 9.5 for me, ran the show.

Mark Murphy 6 Posted 18/01/2026 at 22:35:58

Watching MOTD2.

McGinn. What an absolute tit!

Derek Knox 7 Posted 18/01/2026 at 22:56:57

Hold my hands up, I was not optimistic about today but as ever hoped I was wrong. Gladly, I was proved wrong.

I thought most put a good shift in without being spectacular. McNeil surprised but could have done more; O'Brien gave the ball away too often; and Mykolenko was nothing great.

Aznou could have come on after the goal.

Mark Murphy 9 Posted 18/01/2026 at 23:05:33

I can understand “not optimistic” but I can't get my head round Blues predicting a 0-2 or 1-3 defeat, even against Brazil 1970.Why do that?

So you can say “see how much I know about footy tactics” etc? Never write off your own team!

Ray Jacques 10 Posted 18/01/2026 at 23:07:06

I posted this morning that we would get nothing today.

This was based on recent results, available players and years of being an Everton pessimist.

It doesn't make sense... but I am happy!

Jason Hewly 12 Posted 18/01/2026 at 23:55:52

A good all-round performance from every player out there. I also think Moyes got the tactics right against a team flying high and full of confidence.

I've got a lot of time for Villa, but their fans embarrassed themselves with their booing of Grealish. I don't get this boorish prick behaviour at all. He did a lot for that club. There are far too many people who think that being a football fan gives them permission to act like a wanker. Tiresome idiots.

Neil Cremin 13 Posted 19/01/2026 at 01:17:39

I agree that the 6 for Mykolenko is petty. Our back four were brilliant as a unit so why scapegoat him?

Similarity, I thought McNeil also deserved at least a 7.5. He was once again involved in our goal and worked tirelessly in defence.

Makes a mockery of the stick he has been getting on here.

Nicholas Ryan 14 Posted 19/01/2026 at 01:34:11

What makes this result all the more pleasing, is the way that our already threadbare squad has been decimated recently.

Bob Parrington 15 Posted 19/01/2026 at 04:19:15

Excellent performance all round, with a beautifully executed goal by Thierno Barry.

It was exciting to see Rohl play so well as I feel he has looked somewhat lost until this game.

A 6 for Mykolenko is definitely mean. At least a 7.

Paul Griffiths 16 Posted 19/01/2026 at 04:27:57

Anjishnu, Harrison Armstrong did not need to 'win over the fanbase'. Giving him a 7 borders on criminal. The same 7 you gave to McNeil and Grealish?

When will the edit button get sorted? You said a while ago that you would talk to the technical folks. How has this not been sorted out?

Ian Bennett 17 Posted 19/01/2026 at 06:59:00

Broadly thought the ratings were pretty fair. I'd have given Garner, Mykolenko & Armstrong slightly higher. Garner only 0.5 over the centre-back felt a bit mean.

I thought it was a brilliant midfield display from him away from home. I've watched Everton capitulate many a time on a Sunday away afternoon, but not with this lad.

Darrel Pugh 18 Posted 19/01/2026 at 07:04:55

How far could we go if Moyes trusted players more?

Players in the right position in defence, youth over experience in midfield. Every time he is forced into this so-called 'bare bones' selection, we look like a better team.

There is nothing to lose this season: 32 points already, no cup competitions, a highly mediocre Premier League. Surely now is the time to be braver, take more risks -- just trust the players.

John Collins 20 Posted 19/01/2026 at 10:19:28

James Garner is playing as well, in his position,as any other holding midfielder in the Prem,better than most.

There will be a queue forming to sign him if we don't get his contract sorted quickly.

Best player on the pitch yesterday.

Rob Hooton 21 Posted 19/01/2026 at 10:46:27

If the rumours about Garner wanting £130k a week are true, then we should pay it. Replacing him would cost £40m or more, with wages on top, so it’s far more cost effective to tie down a gifted player. His value should increase, he’s a better player than some already in the England squad.