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Ancelotti laments ‘deserved defeat’ to Villa as Everton’s Europa hopes dented

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti. Photo: Peter Byrne/Reuters Expand

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Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti. Photo: Peter Byrne/Reuters

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti. Photo: Peter Byrne/Reuters

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti. Photo: Peter Byrne/Reuters

Chris Bascombe

After yet another insipid home defeat, Carlo Ancelotti asked himself which is the real Everton?

The evolving side which has taken 13 points from 15 away at Spurs, Liverpool, Arsenal, Leicester and Manchester United? Or that which has lost eight home games, Aston Villa’s 2-1 victory extending a winless Goodison run to five games in all competitions?

The Italian damned his team’s lack of spirit and poor attitude, accepting the major damage to Everton’s European hopes has been inflicted on home turf.

“Not good enough and completely different from the last game when we had more spirit and attitude,” he said. “We deserved to lose. The start of the game was really bad. There was no balance. It is difficult to say why we’ve this home form. Maybe we feel more comfortable. We’re still in the fight for what we did away. It’s a completely different team and attitude.”

Ancelotti’s frustration is tangible because so many opportunities to break into the top six have been squandered. At their worst, Everton look like a team which has been punching above its weight under him.

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There is an optimistic idea this season represents the first of many Everton bids to qualify for UEFA competition under the Italian.

A less upbeat perspective is that by failing to take advantage of their rivals’ problems Everton are messing up their best chance to do so in years.

The worrying reality here is how superior Villa were for prolonged periods, unfortunate to be forced to wait so long for Anwar El Ghazi’s spectacular 80th-minute winner.

Villa’s outstanding first half deserved far more than a solitary goal for Ollie Watkins, which was swiftly equalised by Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Dean Smith’s side resembled that which had its own lofty ambitions earlier in the season, attractive on the eye and unfortunate to find Jordan Pickford back to his best. Smith will wonder where Villa would be if Jack Grealish was fit, though Ancelotti might argue likewise about James Rodriguez, who suffered a calf problem in the warm-up.

Watching England manager Gareth Southgate will be patting himself on the back for his backing of his No 1 ’keeper if he keeps this form. Pickford made at least four outstanding saves, the most impressive denying Watkins twice and when diving at the feet of Bertrand Traore when one-on-one.

Villa were earlier gifted the lead after 13 minutes, Mason Holgate dwelling in possession and Watkins pouncing. The striker could have ensured Holgate was red-carded after a clumsy attempt to make amends, but Watkins honorably restored his balance and beat Pickford.

The way the England goalkeeper responded for the rest of the half might have made Watkins reconsider whether it would have been wiser to ensure a numerical advantage, especially when Everton equalised five minutes later.

Lucas Digne’s corner picked out Calvert-Lewin at the far post, Villa’s marking too slack. The Everton striker almost had a second after another Digne cross, his brave diving header saved by Emiliano Martinez.

That chance interrupted Villa’s general superiority. The visitors also hit the post and the crossbar as they thrust numbers forward to support the lively Watkins, El Ghazi striking the upright from close range and Ross Barkley unlucky against his former club from 20 yards.

Villa were not so fluent after the break, but El Ghazi picked out the top corner and a top half-finish surely beckons for Smith.

Everton are not out of the European hunt. Ancelotti must be grateful three of his remaining five games are away. 

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