Luke Young (centre) celebrates his goal with team-mate and namesake Ashley
By Chris Whyatt
Everton were condemned to their worst league start for more than a decade by an Aston Villa side who were lucky to keep the visitors at bay at Villa Park.
The hosts took an early lead when Ashley Young freed marauding full-back Luke Young for a fine left-foot finish.
Everton's Steven Pienaar hit the bar soon after while from Mikel Arteta's smart free-kick Jack Rodwell glanced a second-half header just inches wide.
Both sides could have scored in a breathless finish but Villa clung on.
The result leaves Everton still searching for a first league win of the season, despite controlling most of the match against a Villa side who ground out a crucial win at an unsettling time for the Midlands club.
McDonald unsure on Villa boss situation
Both teams needed a positive showing after difficult starts to this campaign, but Villa - for whom Kevin MacDonald is still the caretaker manager after Martin O'Neill's shock exit - were dealt a blow before kick-off as new signing Stephen Ireland got injured in the warm-up.
Nigel Reo-Coker was duly drafted into the starting line-up but the hosts were immediately on the back foot as Everton settled well and threatened menacingly down the left through Leighton Baines.
Yet the Toffees were made to pay a high price when the statuesque Marouane Fellaini catastrophically slipped outside his own penalty area in the seventh minute.
Villa pounced instantly with Ashley Young calmly slotting a fine short pass towards the gap which Young cleverly sprinted in to and his finish, curling the ball high past goalkeeper Tim Howard from 16 yards out with his weaker left foot, was unerring.
Jermaine Beckford, Everton's bargain summer buy from Leeds United, is yet to score in the league for his new club but his pace caused Richard Dunne to receive a booking after the Villa defender crudely hacked him down after a tricky run.
Largely dictating the play despite that early setback, the visitors nearly scored in the 17th minute when Baines jabbed a nicely-weighted pass inside for Steven Pienaar who curved the ball casually out of Brad Freidel's reach but against the bar.
Though Everton dominated possession, the fine link-up play down the left between Pienaar and Baines asked real questions of Villa right-winger Marc Albrighton - and though he was perhaps naive defensively, the 20-year-old showed real promise going forward.
That was evident as he wriggled free to lash a decent shot just past Howard's post, though McDonald's side would have been relieved to get to the interval with their 1-0 lead intact.
The hosts started an open second half with greater nous, causing Everton boss David Moyes to replace quiet striker Beckford with the vastly more experienced Louis Saha after 55 minutes.
The Merseysiders were briefly forced on the back foot as Villa settled into a pattern of counter-attacking football, with John Carew muscling his way into the box to force Howard into a double save from Ashley Young after a brilliant block from Phil Jagielka.
Seconds later Howard's American counterpart Freidel made a superb instinct stop from Felliani's snap shot on the turn before Rodwell glanced Arteta's dangerous free-kick just wide of the post.
Villa did have a chance to extend their lead after Jagielka slipped when Reo-Coker was well placed to put Gabriel Agbonlahor, who had replaced Carew after 67 minutes, in the clear.
Defeat hard to take - Moyes
But Ireland's replacement hit a woeful pass into the recovering England international, who managed to clear with ease.
Again Villa fluffed their lines when, following Howard's desperate parry from Ashley Young's swivel-hipped run and shot, Albrighton hacked the ball wildly over the bar with time and space.
And Everton nearly equalised after a brilliantly incisive run down down the right from Seamus Coleman - who had replaced the injured Rodwell - but nobody was on hand to apply what could have been a simple finish.
The hosts sat deep inviting pressure on to them, but the Toffees huffed and puffed to no avail with Saha hitting a clear late chance into the body of Friedel - when a low shot would have troubled him more - before the Villa keeper once again denied him brilliantly.
The three points leaves Villa above Everton in the table and in much better health as they seek to appoint a permanent manager - be it McDonald or otherwise.
Aston Villa caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald:
"[Club owner Randy Lerner] has put no pressure on me but I will probably speak to him on Monday or Tuesday at the latest about whether I wish to be considered for the job.
"I've enjoyed being able to organise things but I still don't know if it is for me or not.
"I will now have the chance to collate everything that has happened in the past two weeks and I've got to believe I'm good enough myself. That is what I will think about."
Everton boss David Moyes:
"For us not to have got all the points, never mind one, is hard.
"We must get better at scoring goals, but our play all round is very good. We certainly didn't play badly today.
"My players are playing really well at the moment actually. We just haven't quite got enough at the final end of the pitch to make a difference."
95:56 The ref blows the whistle to begin the match.
Full Time
90:00+4:22 Louis Saha takes a shot. Save by Brad Friedel. Inswinging corner taken by Mikel Arteta, Brad Friedel makes a save.
90:00+3:04 Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Mikel Arteta, save by Brad Friedel.
90:00+2:40 Louis Saha takes a shot. Blocked by Richard Dunne.
90:00+1:14 The ball is delivered by Sylvain Distin.
90:00+0:56 Attacking throw-in by Leighton Baines (Everton).
90:00 The referee blows his whistle to end the game.
88:00 Marouane Fellaini concedes a free kick for a foul on James Collins. Direct free kick taken by James Collins.
87:47 The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Leighton Baines.
85:53 Seamus Coleman sends in a cross, Stiliyan Petrov gets a block in. Corner taken by Mikel Arteta, clearance by Richard Dunne.
85:28 Inswinging corner taken by Mikel Arteta, James Collins manages to make a clearance.
84:32 Mikel Arteta takes the inswinging corner, Stephen Warnock makes a clearance. Short corner worked by Mikel Arteta.
84:11 A cross is delivered by Gabriel Agbonlahor.
82:33 Corner taken by Mikel Arteta from the right by-line, Marc Albrighton manages to make a clearance. Outswinging corner taken
from the right by-line by Mikel Arteta, Close range headed effort by Phil Jagielka clears the crossbar.
Correction - 82:17 Attacking throw-in by Leighton Baines (Everton).
82:17 Defending throw-in by Leighton Baines (Everton).
81:05 Leighton Baines fouled by Stiliyan Petrov, the ref awards a free kick. Mikel Arteta fires a strike on goal direct from the
free kick.
79:58 Mikel Arteta delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing, clearance made by Luke Young.
79:58 Substitution Johnny Heitinga comes on in place of Tony Hibbert.
79:58 Booking Stiliyan Petrov booked.
79:51 Stiliyan Petrov concedes a free kick for a foul on Steven Pienaar.
79:34 The ball is swung over by Steven Pienaar, clearance by Stewart Downing.
78:13 Steven Pienaar has an effort at goal. Blocked by Nigel Reo-Coker.
77:24 Louis Saha produces a cross, Marc Albrighton manages to make a clearance. Mikel Arteta takes a inswinging corner from the
left by-line to the near post.
76:31 Defending throw-in by Luke Young (Aston Villa).
76:09 Stewart Downing concedes a free kick for a foul on Tony Hibbert. Tony Hibbert takes the direct free kick.
74:24 Ashley Young takes a shot. Save made by Tim Howard. Shot from inside the six-yard box by Marc Albrighton goes wide right of
the goal.
74:03 Attacking throw-in by Stewart Downing (Aston Villa).
72:52 Ashley Young takes the outswinging corner, clearance made by Tony Hibbert.
71:44 Corner taken by Mikel Arteta from the right by-line to the near post, Gabriel Agbonlahor makes a clearance.
70:27 Foul by Louis Saha on Luke Young, free kick awarded. Brad Friedel takes the direct free kick.
68:46 Mikel Arteta takes the direct free kick.
68:46 Substitution Jack Rodwell goes off and Seamus Coleman comes on.
68:46 Luke Young gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Tim Cahill.
68:26 Nigel Reo-Coker concedes a free kick for a foul on Leighton Baines. Free kick taken by Leighton Baines.
66:22 Free kick taken by Sylvain Distin.
66:22 Substitution Gabriel Agbonlahor comes on in place of John Carew.
66:22 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jack Rodwell by Stephen Warnock.
66:05 Defending throw-in by Steven Pienaar (Everton).
61:33 The ball is crossed by Mikel Arteta, Header from close range by Jack Rodwell misses to the right of the goal.
61:33 Booking Booking for Marc Albrighton for unsporting behaviour.
61:27 Marc Albrighton challenges Leighton Baines unfairly and gives away a free kick.
60:54 Goal kick taken long by Tim Howard (Everton).
60:33 The ball is swung over by Mikel Arteta, Marouane Fellaini takes a shot. Save made by Brad Friedel.
60:00 Mikel Arteta takes a short corner.
59:26 Sylvain Distin takes the free kick.
59:26 Booking James Collins receives a yellow card.
59:21 Free kick awarded for a foul by James Collins on Tim Cahill.
58:43 John Carew takes a shot. Save by Tim Howard. Ashley Young takes a shot. Save by Tim Howard.
58:14 Louis Saha takes a shot. Comfortable save by Brad Friedel.
58:00 Leighton Baines produces a cross, clearance by John Carew.
56:43 Centre by Tony Hibbert, James Collins makes a clearance. Corner taken right-footed by Mikel Arteta from the left by-line,
save by Brad Friedel.
54:38 Goal kick taken long by Tim Howard (Everton).
54:38 Substitution Louis Saha comes on in place of Jermaine Beckford.
54:38 Leighton Baines gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Marc Albrighton. The free kick is swung in left-footed by
Stewart Downing.
54:11 Attacking throw-in by Luke Young (Aston Villa).
53:25 Attacking throw-in by Luke Young (Aston Villa).
52:26 Unfair challenge on Steven Pienaar by Ashley Young results in a free kick. Mikel Arteta takes the direct free kick.
52:08 The ball is swung over by Ashley Young, comfortable save by Tim Howard.
51:12 Defending throw-in by Tony Hibbert (Everton).
50:23 The ball is delivered by Leighton Baines, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Marouane Fellaini misses to the
right of the target.
50:01 The ball is delivered by Jermaine Beckford, Richard Dunne makes a clearance.
49:42 Marc Albrighton produces a cross, Sylvain Distin makes a clearance.
48:53 Shot from outside the area by Ashley Young misses to the left of the goal.
47:58 Ashley Young is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Phil Jagielka takes the free kick.
47:33 Defending throw-in by Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).
47:14 Defending throw-in by Leighton Baines (Everton).
46:37 The ball is delivered by Marc Albrighton, Header by John Carew from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the
target.
45:55 Defending throw-in by Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).
45:21 Defending throw-in by Leighton Baines (Everton).
45:01 The referee gets the second half started.
Half Time
45:00+0:57 Ashley Young takes a shot. Save by Tim Howard.
45:00+0:37 Tim Cahill gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Stiliyan Petrov. Ashley Young restarts play with the free kick.
45:00+0:03 Defending throw-in by Leighton Baines (Everton).
45:00 The ref blows to signal half-time.
43:35 Corner taken by Ashley Young from the right by-line to the near post, Phil Jagielka makes a clearance.
42:36 Jack Rodwell delivers the ball.
42:12 Effort from outside the area by James Collins goes wide right of the goal.
41:17 Marc Albrighton takes a shot. Blocked by Marouane Fellaini. Stewart Downing takes the inswinging corner, clearance by Sylvain
Distin.
39:35 Defending throw-in by Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).
38:53 Attacking throw-in by Jack Rodwell (Everton).
38:43 The ball is crossed by Stewart Downing, clearance by Sylvain Distin.
38:09 Goal kick taken long by Tim Howard (Everton).
37:25 Marc Albrighton fouled by Marouane Fellaini, the ref awards a free kick. Stewart Downing takes the free kick.
36:35 John Carew fouled by Steven Pienaar, the ref awards a free kick. Luke Young restarts play with the free kick.
34:42 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Mikel Arteta from the left by-line, James Collins makes a clearance.
34:04 Defending throw-in by Leighton Baines (Everton).
33:01 Steven Pienaar fouled by Stiliyan Petrov, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Leighton Baines.
32:31 Attacking throw-in by Marc Albrighton (Aston Villa).
31:47 Defending throw-in by Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).
31:08 Inswinging corner taken by Mikel Arteta.
29:09 Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Mikel Arteta, clearance by Stiliyan Petrov. Corner taken right-footed by
Mikel Arteta, clearance by James Collins. Unfair challenge on James Collins by Marouane Fellaini results in a free kick. Brad
Friedel takes the direct free kick.
28:39 Defending throw-in by Luke Young (Aston Villa).
27:50 Attacking throw-in by Tony Hibbert (Everton).
27:24 Steven Pienaar takes a shot. Luke Young gets a block in.
26:56 Mikel Arteta decides to take the corner short.
25:39 Mikel Arteta takes a shot. Save by Brad Friedel.
25:19 Free kick awarded for a foul by Stiliyan Petrov on Jermaine Beckford. Mikel Arteta takes the free kick.
24:31 Attacking throw-in by Tony Hibbert (Everton).
24:02 Defending throw-in by Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).
23:04 The ball is swung over by Leighton Baines, Headed effort from inside the area by Marouane Fellaini misses to the left of the
goal.
22:32 Defending throw-in by Tony Hibbert (Everton).
22:02 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Stephen Warnock by Tim Cahill. Brad Friedel takes the direct free kick.
21:29 Foul by Stiliyan Petrov on Tim Cahill, free kick awarded. Sylvain Distin takes the direct free kick.
20:24 Attacking throw-in by Tony Hibbert (Everton).
19:51 Foul by John Carew on Mikel Arteta, free kick awarded. Sylvain Distin takes the free kick.
18:49 Ashley Young fouled by Steven Pienaar, the ref awards a free kick. Brad Friedel restarts play with the free kick.
17:30 Jermaine Beckford has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand post.
Correction - 17:16 Steven Pienaar takes a shot.
17:16 Shot from 18 yards by Tim Cahill.
16:50 Leighton Baines sends in a cross, clearance made by James Collins.
16:07 Effort from just outside the box by Stiliyan Petrov goes over the bar.
15:07 Ashley Young sends in a cross, Marouane Fellaini manages to make a clearance. Corner taken left-footed by Stewart Downing
to the near post, Phil Jagielka manages to make a clearance. Nigel Reo-Coker takes a shot. Blocked by Mikel Arteta.
14:33 Handball by Leighton Baines. Ashley Young takes the free kick.
13:42 Jermaine Beckford fouled by Richard Dunne, the ref awards a free kick. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Mikel Arteta,
Nigel Reo-Coker manages to make a clearance.
13:25 Defending throw-in by Tony Hibbert (Everton).
12:57 Attacking throw-in by Leighton Baines (Everton).
11:29 Shot on goal comes in from Mikel Arteta from the free kick, Brad Friedel makes a save.
11:29 Booking Richard Dunne is booked.
11:22 Jermaine Beckford fouled by Richard Dunne, the ref awards a free kick.
11:04 Attacking throw-in by Luke Young (Aston Villa).
10:36 The ball is delivered by Stewart Downing.
10:21 Attacking throw-in by Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).
8:36 Assist by Ashley Young.
8:36 GOAL - Luke Young:Aston Villa 1 - 0 Everton Luke Young fires in a goal from just inside the area to the top left corner of the goal. Aston Villa 1-0 Everton.
8:20 Attacking throw-in by Luke Young (Aston Villa).
7:26 Foul by Ashley Young on Mikel Arteta, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Phil Jagielka.
7:01 Attacking throw-in by Tony Hibbert (Everton).
4:48 Corner taken right-footed by Mikel Arteta from the left by-line to the near post, Ashley Young manages to make a clearance.
3:47 Defending throw-in by Luke Young (Aston Villa).
2:59 Stiliyan Petrov gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Tim Cahill. Direct free kick taken by Mikel Arteta.
2:09 John Carew challenges Marouane Fellaini unfairly and gives away a free kick. Sylvain Distin takes the direct free kick.
1:21 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Stephen Warnock by Jack Rodwell. Brad Friedel takes the free kick.
0:45 Stewart Downing concedes a free kick for a foul on Tim Cahill. Free kick taken by Mikel Arteta.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
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