appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Agence France-Presse

Wesley fired Aston Villa to their first Premier League win for over three years as the Brazilian’s maiden goal for his new club inspired a 2-0 victory against Everton on Friday.
After losing to Tottenham and Bournemouth in their first two games, Villa finally got their campaign up and running on their return to the top flight after a three-year absence.
Dean Smith’s promoted side were already being written off as relegation fodder following their nervous start to the season.
But Wesley’s first goal since the forward’s £22 million (US$27 million) close-season move from Belgian side Club Brugge lifted the mood at Villa Park in the 22nd minute.

Anwar El Ghazi added the second in stoppage-time to ensure Villa were able to celebrate the end of a 15-match winless run in the Premier League dating back to a victory over Norwich in February 2016.
“It was very sweet. It was a hard-earned win. We always looked a threat on the break. To get that goal at the end just capped it off,” Smith said.
“Our defensive organisation was good. I always thought we would score a second, but I thought it would come a bit earlier.
“Getting your home results in this league is a important and getting your first one is massive.”
It is really difficult to see how we can lose this game when we create so many chances to score
Marco Silva, Everton manager
Everton paid the price for poor finishing as they wasted chances to maintain their unbeaten run, which came to an abrupt end after a draw against Crystal Palace and a victory over Watford.
“It is really difficult to see how we can lose this game when we create so many chances to score,” Everton boss Marco Silva said.
“It is concerning about the goals we didn’t score and of course we should score more. Against Palace we created lots of chances to score and didn’t and again today.”

Jack Grealish had lost a record 20 successive Premier League games with Villa – dating back to their previous spell in the top flight – and he was fortunate not to concede an early penalty for a challenge on Richarlison.
Grealish set about ending his dismal losing streak when he cleverly took a quick free-kick inside his own half that caught Everton flat-footed.
Liverpool vs Arsenal: a regular goalfest that brings out the best in both sides set for another thrilling chapter
Grealish picked out Jota and he advanced down the left flank before slipping a superb pass to Wesley, who found the bottom corner with a fine finish.
Wesley threatened a second goal moments later but this time his shot was blocked by Yerry Mina’s sliding challenge.
Everton should have equalised when Morgan Schneiderlin found Seamus Coleman and he clipped a pass to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, whose first-time shot was blocked on the line by Villa defender Bjorn Engels.

Everton hadn’t come from behind at half-time to win a Premier League game since September 2015 and that run was destined to continue.
Silva tried to spark his team by sending on former Arsenal winger Alex Iwobi for his debut along with ex-Juventus striker Moise Kean.
Iwobi had an immediate impact and he turned to fire against the post in the closing moments.
Theo Walcott should have equalised in the 90th minute but the unmarked substitute somehow fired over from close range as he took a hurried swipe at Kean’s cross.
And El Ghazi wrapped up the long-awaited points for Villa when he slotted home John McGinn’s pass from six yards in the fifth minute of added time.


Something you’d bury grandma in, or a must-have? Man United’s China-style top divides fans

Manchester City will wrap up Premier League by going into ‘cup final mode’, says ex-star

Chelsea sack Liam Rosenior after less than 4 months following worst run since 1912

Football Festival boss eyes Hong Kong Sevens-style boom, dismisses threat from rivals

English Premier League

Premier League: Wesley inspires Aston Villa to end three-year wait for top flight win against Everton

Aston Villa’s Wesley celebrates scoring their first goal with Douglas Luiz. Photo: Reuters

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Everton - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - August 23, 2019 Everton's Alex Iwobi REUTERS/Eddie Keogh EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Everton's manager Marco Silva reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Everton at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, Friday, Aug. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Everton - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - August 23, 2019 Aston Villa's Wesley celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Eddie Keogh EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Liverpool vs Arsenal: a regular goalfest that brings out the best in both sides set for another thrilling chapter

Arsenal’s Andrey Arshavin looks on on the day he scored four goals in a thrilling 2009 encounter at Anfield that finished 4-4. Photo: AP

The scoreboard shows the final score between Liverpool and Arsenal after their English League Cup quarter-final soccer match at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, England, Tuesday Jan. 9, 2007. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson) ** NO INTERNET/MOBILE USAGE WITHOUT FAPL LICENCE - SEE IPTC SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FIELD FOR DETAILS **

Dimitar Berbatov backs Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford to thrive up front for Manchester United

Marcus Rashford celebrates with Anthony Martial after scoring in the FA Cup in 2016. Photo: Reuters

Manchester United's English defender Harry Maguire reacts to their win at the final whistle in the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on August 11, 2019. - Manchester United won the game 4-0. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Manchester United's Bulgarian forward Dimitar Berbatov celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match against Newcastle United at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England on August 16, 2010. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES --- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE Additional licence required for any commercial/promotional use or use on TV or internet (except identical online version of newspaper) of Premier League/Football League photos. Tel DataCo +44 207 2981656. Do not alter/modify photo

Manchester United's Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov (R) celebrates with Northern Irish defender Jonny Evans (2nd R) after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England on December 26, 2011. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications

Sport

Football


Birmingham club’s record £22 million signing on target in home win
Anwar El Ghazi adds the second in stoppage-time



Birmingham club’s record £22 million signing on target in home win


Premier League: Wesley inspires Aston Villa to end three-year wait for top flight win against Everton

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Birmingham club’s record £22 million signing on target in home win Anwar El Ghazi adds the second in stoppage-time

Birmingham club’s record £22 million signing on target in home win

Anwar El Ghazi adds the second in stoppage-time