"This victory is very important. We have started the year winning at home, in the Premier League and in the FA Cup. Away, we were in a bad spell and had to break it."

Unai Emery saluted Ollie Watkins’ relentless spirit after the striker earned Villa a 1-0 win at Everton. Watkins netted for the ninth time in the Premier League this season as Villa made it three wins on the spin in 2025 and snapped a five-match losing run on the road.

Ross Barkley is sidelined after suffering a calf injury against West Ham and was replaced by Amadou Onana in the 19th minute. The Belgian will return to Goodison Park tomorrow for the first time since he joined Villa for £50m in the summer.