Everton earned their first away victory of the WSL campaign with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Maren Mjelde struck the Toffees ahead in the 16th minute, marking her first goal for the club, before Honoka Hayashi doubled their advantage in the second half, sealing all three points with no response from the hosts.
From the outset Everton displayed a composed style of play, maintaining control and possession with confidence at both ends of the pitch. They had to remain disciplined in the opening stages as Villa applied early pressure.
The visitors did well to absorb the hosts’ attack, with Elise Stenevik making a crucial defensive intervention to clear a dropping ball before Rachel Daly could capitalise.
Everton’s breakthrough came from Mjelde, who finished off a move she had initiated. After sustaining pressure from a corner, her close-range volley found the back of the net following a pinpoint pass to Katja Snoeijs, which set up the crucial goal.
Villa pushed for an equaliser, keeping Courtney Brosnan busy. The Everton number one reacted quickly to smother an opportunity created from a short corner, preventing the home side from making the most of the recycled play.
Jordan Nobbs attempted to test Brosnan with a long-range effort, but the Irish international made a comfortable save, ensuring the Toffees took their lead into the break unscathed.
After the restart, the Blues upped their intensity. Kelly Gago produced a clever piece of play, lifting the ball towards Toni Payne in the box, but Sabrina D’Angelo intervened just in time to prevent a scoring chance.
Everton extended their lead when Hayashi reacted quickly to a goalkeeping error as Katelin Talbert spilled the ball, replacing D’Angelo who came off with an injury.
Gago nearly added her name to the scoresheet after driving into the box and creating space for a shot, but her effort from a tight angle only found the side netting.
Villa had a late chance to reduce the deficit when Daly whipped a dangerous cross into the area towards Chasity Grant, who found herself in space, but she struggled to control the awkwardly bouncing ball and failed to convert.
As injury time approached, Everton were forced to show resilience as Villa fired a series of shots towards goal. Brosnan once again demonstrated her quality, notably denying Missy Bo Kearns’ low strike towards the left post in the 94th minute, ensuring a well-earned clean sheet and all three points for the Toffees.
This result lifts Everton to eighth in the table, 10 points clear of the relegation zone, as they aim to extend that gap when they face Arsenal next Friday.
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