Steven Gerrard has last laugh as Aston Villa win at Everton after Lucas Digne struck by bottle

• Digne and Cash appear to be struck by object when celebrating Aston Villa's opener

• Buendia's first-half goal the difference between the two sides

• Steven Gerrard celebrates win at Goodison as Villa manager

It has taken a while, but one of Liverpool’s legends has finally coached a team to victory at Goodison Park in another’s colours.

Those of gallows humour will appreciate the irony of Aston Villa’s Steven Gerrard succeeding where Rafael Benitez too often failed.

As if the season could not get any worse for Everton, they have now had to tolerate a jubilant Gerrard, Gary McAllister and Phillipe Coutinho celebrating on their patch, raising further doubts as to the Merseysiders’ Premier League security.

For Gerrard, it was the sweetest of victories, the jibes aimed at him - some of them especially tasteless - were drowned out by the fury which was eventually directed at the Goodison hierarchy.

Evertonians would have dreamed of seeing a header at the Gwladys Street End prove the winning goal as Duncan Ferguson took temporary charge.

Sadly for them, it was provided by Aston Villa’s Emiliano Buendia, the playmaker many presumed would make way for Philippe Coutinho but is instead thriving alongside him.

This was as dismal a day as there has been for Everton in the grimmest of seasons in this arena, any hope that Benitez’s dismissal earlier this week would lead to instant upturn wrecked.

There will be repercussions for the home fan who struck two Villa players with a drinks bottle when celebrating Buendia’s goal. Fortunately, neither Lucas Digne nor Matty Cash was hurt. That being the case, they may forgive the observation that it was one of the few accurate shots Evertonians have seen in 2022.

The fury at Everton’s position extended well beyond the final whistle, a couple of hundred fans calling for boardroom accountability for the club’s position. About 50 of them were still there over an hour after full time. You had to admire their solidarity as they stayed - somewhat symbolically - as the light went out. Most fans have been dreading coming here recently, let alone show such reluctance to leave.

The protesters’ main target was chairman Bill Kenwright. It is the lack of wisdom around majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri - or his ceaseless ability to take advice from the wrong person - which has created the current shambles.

Ferguson hoped to sprinkle some of the stardust that proved so effective the last time he took temporary charge, when another of England’s golden generation, Frank Lampard, felt the wrath of Goodison.

It never materialised because Villa were fully briefed about what was coming. Gerrard, a veteran of so many Goodison skirmishes, was one of the worst opponents Everton could have had on this particular day.

Ferguson made an impression with his team selection. Michael Keane was dropped. Vitalii Mykolenko - one of Benitez’s last signings - did not even make the bench.

It was an insight into how Ferguson viewed the recent calamities, fixing it with players of energy he felt he could trust.

Gerrard gave a first start to Coutinho while Digne returned to Goodison unsure of what welcome awaited. He was cheered when ostracised by Benitez. Already the mood was different, Digne instantly recast as an enemy and jeered this time.

Everton were searching for some kind of rugged beauty, hoping brute force and emotion might carry them forward. The application was there, Richarlison especially possessed by the spirit of his manager as he hunted down Villa’s centre-halves as they tried to play through the zones.

Initially, Tyrone Mings looked nervous, often gambling in possession and inducing anxiety. In fact, it was his propensity to concede unnecessary set-pieces in the first half which offered Everton their best hope of a breakthrough.

But Villa, especially their midfield leader John McGinn, never wilted. Buendia, however, stood out from the start as the most technically adept in a congested midfield, his shot on 12 minutes offering Jordan Pickford an early test. The visitors threatened more as the first half progressed, Mings finding the right pass when sending Ollie Watkins through on 38 minutes, the striker nudging wide.

Pickford got busier. He saved superbly to deny Watkins - although it would have been offside - and to push Coutinho’s 45th minute header over.

From the resultant corner, Digne picked out Buendia whose glancing header beat the England number one. Dashing towards the Gwladys Street corner flag was the Argentinian’s only bad decision as the objects descended.

Ferguson did not hesitate to make changes early in the second half, Allan and Anthony Gordon introduced. Gordon was almost celebrating an instant assist, his cross headed over by Richarlison.

Mings headed Godfrey’s header off the line, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin sliced wide as Everton threatened despite the loss of Abdoulaye Doucoure with a groin injury.

“I think I got a reaction from the players,” said Ferguson.

“The first half we were not quite on it. The second half they had a good go at it and they gave me everything. I could not fault their effort.

“I am on the floor. I am gutted. I was kicking every ball. I am sick for the fans. I was desperate to get the win. I feel for them because I am one of them. It’s a bad moment for me.”

In truth, Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez had too little to do, the full-time whistle bringing the all-too familiar refrain of boos.

Gerrard was relatively sedate in his victory salute to the away end. In Buendia, he looks like he has unlocked a genuine talent.

“He has been getting stronger and better in terms of his own performances for many weeks,” said Gerrard.

“Many from the outside may have felt his position would be under threat with the arrival of Phil, but I am proud of both of them. People see Emi as a little technical footballer but he will also fight for you.”

This was a significant win for Gerrard and Villa as they stride on while accentuating the Everton crisis and leaving Moshiri working through his ever-expanding phone directory of potential managerial candidates.

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Everton vs Aston Villa, as it happened

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02:35 PM

Updated Premier League table

Not looking good for Everton at all. Are they in "sleepwalking into relegation" territory? Well, they've sacked their manager so not sure that really applies. But they are in a prolonged slump.

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02:33 PM

Matty Cash and Emi Buendia speak to BT Sport

MC: "It was a tough game. They threw everything forward in the last 15-20 minutes. It [the object[ hit me straight in the head. It's not nice having that but three points, take that. "

EB: "We came here, we knew before the game they changed manager so it's difficult, tough away game. Difficult atmosphere. We played a little bit better in the first half so we get three points. "

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02:28 PM

FULL TIME: Everton 0 Villa 1

Gordon's corner is a decent one, at the far post. A few blue shirts there but the header is not heading goalwards and that is that. A foul in there somewhere. Villa hang in for three points. Gerrard wins at Goodison as a manager, as he did so many times as a player.

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02:27 PM

90+5 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

Anthony Gordon on the right... wins a corner. One final chance? The big goalie's going up!

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02:26 PM

90+4 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

Do Everton have anything left? They've had the intent and intensity in this half but not the quality. A few chances, though. A draw would probably be fair. Frustrating.

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02:24 PM

90+2 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

Matty Cash the man of the match. Not an easy pick today. Pickford's big goal kick starts Everton off on their way again... but it soon ends up in the hands of Martinez, who goes down to the ground to waste a bit more time.

15 attempts for Everton in the second half. 1 for Villa.

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02:22 PM

90 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

Minimum of five minutes added time for this game. Can Everton find that goal?

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02:21 PM

89 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

Mings goes down now after receiving a Calvert-Lewis forearm to the face as they challenge for a header. Not sure it hurt that much but it wasn't nothing.

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02:20 PM

88 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

Villa win a goal kick by virtue of Demarai Gray's cross from the left being blocked and coming off his face and out of play...

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02:18 PM

86 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

Gordon's shot is low, deflects and Martinez dives to his right and claims it down low with two hands. Was going wide anyway.

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02:17 PM

85 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

Mings and Richarlison end up in a crumpled heap and Mings goes into the book. He climbs over Richarlison attempting a header but Richarlison made no attempt to challenge the ball. Probably was Mings' fault for climbing in the first place.

Gordon stands over the free kick, 25 yards out...

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02:15 PM

82 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

Now it's Allan's turn to pick up a booking. For taking the free kick from the wrong position. Anthony Gordon eventually crosses in but Mings - excellent so far today - heads it away.

Then Godfrey picks up a booking for a foul on Dogulas Luiz, which brings Villa some respite. A bit of a minor scuffle after. Has been a heated game but not an ill-tempered one. Getting a bit more feisty as the game drags on, however.

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02:13 PM

80 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

Gordon has played some superb balls so far today and he does so again, sending a raking one across the field to Demarai Gray as Everton try and push on in the final 10 minutes.

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02:10 PM

78 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

Looks very much like a case of Villa trying to hang on here. They haven't had much of the ball. Ollie Watkins to be replaced by Danny Ings now.

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02:09 PM

77 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

Digne heads the corner away... Gray is waiting in acres of space on the edge of the box but his first-time volley is sliced horribly high and wide of the target. Poor.

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02:07 PM

75 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

Much better from Everton this half. It's mostly based around crossing and hitting the ball in to the big lads, but it's bringing about chances. Another Everton corner...

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02:06 PM

73 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

And another! Allan with a cross into the box, Mina again rises to meet it but his header is awful, miles over the bar. Should have at least got it on target.

Coutinho off for Villa. Carney Chukwuemeka on in his stead.

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02:04 PM

72 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

It's another Everton corner. The tall Onyango with the header that is deflected behind this time. It has been Everton's MO for much of this half. Plenty of tall lads in the box.

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02:01 PM

70 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

"Make it f------- yours!" screams Duncan Ferguson as the goal kick arrives in the centre circle. He has been a loud presence on the touchline so far today.

What else would you expect?

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02:00 PM

68 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

Another Everton corner, another Everton header, another good chance. Gordon send the corner in from the left, Mina rises to head it - climbing over Buendia to do so - and heads it just wide. Was probably a foul...

Martinez is booked for time wasting on a goal kick.

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01:58 PM

66 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

Anthony Gordon with another superb cross from the right. A quick one two with Richarlison and Gordon sends in a superb ball at low-height. Calvert-Lewin has to stretch a little to get there - it was going at a fair lick - but he can only shin it wide.

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01:56 PM

64 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

I think you can call this game "pulsating". End-to-end. Feisty (we've had that one already, sorry. All justified. Attack brings counter and counter counter. That sort of thing. Tackles flying in, none of it particularly dirty.

Allan with the break this time for Villa but it ends with him on the floor.

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01:53 PM

61 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

Everton's best chance! Two of them here in fact and from a corner. Ben Godfrey with both chances, both headers and both heading towards goal. Mings blocked off the line.

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01:51 PM

59 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

Coutinho takes it with his right foot. Tries a curler but it was too close for him to get it over the wall and under the bar. Not a great effort, really.

The game is continuing at its normal intensity.

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01:50 PM

58 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

Mina commits a foul right on the edge of the box. He just cut off Ramsay. Gordon pushed him first. Mina booked even if it was Gordon who perhaps fouled Ramsay. Dangerous position. Just outside the D on the left-hand side.

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01:48 PM

56 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

Better from Everton here. Gray drives at, but not quite through the Villa defence. His blocked cross is picked up by Gordon on the right who finds Richarlison... the Brazlian's glancing header goes just over, but a good move and a decent chance.

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01:47 PM

55 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

Kenny finds Doucoure on the edge of the box, he turns and shoots with his left but it's blocked by Buendia. Andros Townsend is off for Gordon.

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01:46 PM

52 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

Looks like there will be more changes for Everton in the coming moments. They have a throw in on the right. Anthony Gordon on the sidelines and ready to go.

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01:43 PM

49 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

Gomes off and Allan on for Everton.

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01:42 PM

A look at that first-half goal

An absolutely brilliant header from Emi Buendía gives Aston Villa the lead going into the break! 💥

Former Everton man Lucas Digne provides the assist 🅰️ pic.twitter.com/Sbq9F0Nvt6

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 22, 2022

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01:41 PM

48 mins - Everton 0 Villa 1

Calvert-Lewis gets booked for using his arms in jumping for a header against Konsa.

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01:40 PM

KICK OFF!

And we're back underway.

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01:31 PM

A fair few bottles were thrown during that celebration

You can see one at the top of this image here.

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01:21 PM

HALF TIME: Everton 0 Villa 1

And that is the half. Villa probably just about deserved that. Came on strong towards the end of the half.

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01:20 PM

GOAAAAAAAAAL! Buendia heads in for Villa!

Was it coming? Maybe. Buendia sends in one to the near post, Buendia just lurking on the edge of the six yard box heads it over Pickford and into the back of the net. A glancing header, from near post to back post!

Matty Cash and Lucas Digne go down after the goal, was something thrown at them when they celebrated? Looks like it.

Everton 0 Aston Villa 1

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01:19 PM

45+2 mins - Everton 0 Villa 0

Douglas Luiz sends it in, Calvert Lewis heads it but only across goal. Coutinho has a header at goal but Pickford tips it over for a corner. Not the most power there.

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01:18 PM

45+1 mins - Everton 0 Villa 0

First booking of the game and it's for Andre Gomes who fells Ramsey about 35 yards out, just on the left half of the pitch.

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01:17 PM

45 mins - Everton 0 Villa 0

McGinn through the middle, Buendia picks it up on the left, crosses to Watkins who is free on the middle. He heads down but Pickford makes a magnificent save with his feet! The flag goes up straight away, though. So, kind of a bit pointless. The home fans love it, however.

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01:14 PM

42 mins - Everton 0 Villa 0

Pretty even first half, though Villa have had the better chances. Watkins the best of the lot. Not many of them from either side, really. 10/10 for intensity, 5/10 for quality.

Everton win a corner after a Mings error. Villa see out the danger after Townsend's inswinger at the near post.

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01:11 PM

40 mins - Everton 0 Villa 0

Richarlison bundles McGinn over from the back. Will he escape a booking? There was an earlier foul, too. Var has a look but no booking.

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01:09 PM

38 mins - Everton 0 Villa 0

Ooooh, so nearly! Watkins finds a ball over the top from Mings, a super ball it was. He takes it down in the penalty box superbly, tries to stab it past Pickford but it goes wide. Watkins claims he was fouled by Pickford or Mina, but no. Goal kick.

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01:08 PM

37 mins - Everton 0 Villa 0

The game's intensity has petered out a little now. There hasn't been all that much quality yet, though. Is often the case isn't it? An intense, quick first 15 minutes which doesn't materialise into a "a good game".

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01:07 PM

36 mins - Everton 0 Villa 0

Confusing moment for Everton as a loose ball is heading back to Pickford... but Mina heads it over him and towards goal... it's fine, though, as Pickford scrambles back to avoid embarrassment. Wasn't the most powerful header and may not have made it to the goal unaided.

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01:03 PM

32 mins - Everton 0 Villa 0

Andros Townsend with the corner from the right. Ref Craig Pawson has a word with Buendia and Mina, the former saying the latter has ripped his shirt. Or was at least pulling it.

The corner is eventually headed away by Mings. But Everton come again...

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01:02 PM

30 mins - Everton 0 Villa 0

Richarlison goes down off the ball on a throw in. Mings basically throwing him to the ground after a bit of argy-bargy. No free kick. Everton win a corner soon after.

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12:59 PM

27 mins - Everton 0 Villa 0

Cash and Buendia link up well, Buendia gets the ball and heads for the far post but Godfrey sticks it out for a corner.

Decent game with few chances as Everton squander a fabulous opportunity on the break. Doucoure with the lapse. Not able to find Richarlison after Digne gave it away in the centre circle. Overhit his pass.

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12:57 PM

26 mins - Everton 0 Villa 0

Calvert-Lewis does well to win the ball back in the centre circle but Digne retakes possession to stop the Everton attack. Would say the last 15 minutes have been relatively even, Everton just edging it after Villa looked the better in the first 10.

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12:55 PM

24 mins - Everton 0 Villa 0

Richarlison turns with the ball on the right edge of the box, looks like he could get a shot away with his left but lets the ball run on too far and loses any opportunity... and the ball.

Then Watkins finds Coutinho on the left edge of the box at the other end but he's too slow as Mina tackles.

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12:53 PM

22 mins - Everton 0 Villa 0

Godfrey gets a good run in down the left this time, Cash makes the tackle but it goes out for a home corner. Mina nods on at the near post but no other Everton player gets anything on it.

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12:51 PM

19 mins - Everton 0 Villa 0

Buendia bursts through the middle of the park again, gets his shot away once more after evading a couple of blue shirts but this one is dragged well wide.

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12:49 PM

17 mins - Everton 0 Villa 0

A Doucoure dummy nearly sees Townsend pick the ball up on the edge of the box but Mings is there to stop him. This is better from Everton. Much better. Crowd are up now.

Gray runs into the box on the left but Cash sees him out of play as he takes, probably, a touch too many.

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12:46 PM

14 mins - Everton 0 Villa 0

Andros Townsend with a lovely bit of footwork find Doucoure, but he can't find his man in the box. Everton's best moment so far.

Cash catches Richarlison and the Brazilian gets the free kick in the centre circle.

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12:44 PM

13 mins - Everton 0 Villa 0

Buendia runs towards goal and gets a shot away with his right. It's hard and low but a fairly easy save for Pickford, who fives and beats it away.

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12:42 PM

11 mins - Everton 0 Villa 0

Villa with 75 per cent possession so far. Think the man on the right will be marginally happier from the opening exchanges. Loooong way to go yet.

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12:41 PM

10 mins - Everton 0 Villa 0

Everton launch their first real attack through Godfrey and Gomes, the ball is headed from the right into Richarlison but he can't quite get to it. Everton come again but concede a free kick as Gomes fouls McGinn.

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12:39 PM

8 mins - Everton 0 Villa 0

Douglas Luiz lines it up, hits the inswinger towards the top-right corner, Pickford is at full stretch but the ball goes only narrowly over. Good effort.

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12:38 PM

6 mins - Everton 0 Villa 0

A feisty passage of play as Villa try and break through the Everton lines. Goodison is really fired up. Villa get a free kick as Richarlison fouls Buendia. About 30 yards out,in the middle.

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12:35 PM

4 mins - Everton 0 Villa 0

Pretty bright start for Villa so far, for what it's worth. Buendia down the right can't quite get his cross away, though. Ben Godfrey snuffing out the danger.

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12:33 PM

2 mins - Everton 0 Villa 0

Bit of a dicy moment for Everton. Watkins is nearly in on the left and through but Pickford has to burst out... nearly runs the risk of handling outside of his area but the danger is dealt with.

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12:32 PM

1 min - Everton 0 Villa 0

Mings is down within the first minute. The ball was played in over the top and it looked like he was caught by someone. He's up and playing again, anyway.

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12:32 PM

Kick off!

Villa get the game under way. Both sides in their home shirts, which is good to see. Villa not in white shorts, though. Not blue socks. Can't have it all.

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12:28 PM

A fairly decent reception for the Everton team, it's fair to say

Benitez is gone. It's Duncan Ferguson vs Steven Gerrard.

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12:23 PM

A bit of Aston Villa news now... as we approach kick off

Steven Gerrard warns Manchester United that John McGinn is not for sale. The midfielder is emerging as a United target ahead of next season but Aston Villa are preparing to offer him a new contract.

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12:18 PM

Steven Gerrard speaks to BT Sport

On Coutinho:

On Digne, who returns to Goodison just a week or so after an acrimonious departure:

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12:15 PM

More Everton news

Everton owner Farhad Moshiri injects £100m to help rebuild squad. Moshiri - who is under severe criticism for his running of Everton - has already spent an estimated £500m since his purchase of the club in 2016.

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12:04 PM

Premier League table: bottom half

That's where both of these teams reside currently.

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11:55 AM

Inside the managerial mind of 'Big Dunc' – and why Everton's players should be afraid

Good read from Mike McGrath here on Duncan Ferguson and what makes him different and stand out. Can he start to turn the tide for Everton after the sacking of Benitez?

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11:31 AM

And Villa's side

This is your Aston Villa team to face Everton this afternoon. 👊 #EVEAVL pic.twitter.com/X4yYdjerAX

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 22, 2022

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11:31 AM

Everton's team for today

Duncan Ferguson has named his Everton team to face Aston Villa…#EVEAVL 🔵 #COYB pic.twitter.com/HNQ3PMq4xu

— Everton (@Everton) January 22, 2022

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10:29 AM

Duncan Ferguson will 'always dream' of managing Everton on permanent basis

Everton caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson said on Friday that he dreams of managing the club on a permanent basis, but admitted that he lacks the experience to do so at the moment.

Ferguson, who scored 72 goals in 273 appearances across two spells at the club, took charge of Everton for a second stint as interim manager following the sacking of Spaniard Rafael Benitez last week.

"I'll always dream about becoming Everton manager, but of course I've not quite got that experience," Ferguson told reporters ahead of their home game against Aston Villa on Saturday.

"My job at the moment is to take the upcoming games, steady the ship and the club will go through a process identifying the new manager.

"I'm sure they'll do that and they'll bring the new manager in."

Several names have been floated as candidates for the Everton job since Benitez's departure, including former Everton player and Derby County coach Wayne Rooney.

While Ferguson declined to comment on whether Rooney was the front runner for the position, he said that the former England international's history with the Merseyside club and his performance at Derby could work in his favour.

"Certainly Wayne has done really well at Derby hasn't he? He's an Evertonian and the fans love him," Ferguson said.

"Obviously that can be one candidate of many candidates. Wayne's obviously proved at Derby he's a very good manager."

Earlier on Friday, Rooney addressed the rumours linking him to Everton.

"Of course Everton is a club I grew up supporting," Rooney said. "I'm flattered to get brought up in those conversations, but I know Everton know that to have any communication with me they have to go through the administrators.

"I'm not letting anything distract me from the job I'm doing here."

Everton are six points above the Premier League relegation zone in 16th place, after 19 matches, which Ferguson said was not "good enough".

When asked if the squad knew what it meant to be an Everton player, Ferguson, who was known for his aggressive style of play and holds the joint record for the most Premier League red cards, said: "I think they do now.

"I think they should know (already) -- but they know now, put it that way."

Reuters