Villa beats Everton 2-0 for first win in EPL

Posted August 23, 2019 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Aston Villa's Wesley, right, and Everton's Michael Keane run for the ball 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) The Associated Press

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) - Aston Villa earned its first win since promotion back to the English Premier League by beating Everton 2-0 thanks to a first-half goal by offseason signing Wesley Moraes and a late strike by substitute Anwar El Ghazi on Friday.

Wesley, a Brazilian striker who joined from Belgian side Club Brugge, timed his run perfectly to latch onto a pass from Jota and finish low into the far corner in the 21st minute.

It was the first goal Everton has conceded this season - after a 0-0 at Crystal Palace and a 1-0 home win over Watford - and the visitor couldn't respond.

It came closest to an equalizer when Alex Iwobi, on as a second-half substitute for his debut following a move from Arsenal, drilled a low, left-footed shot against the post. Another Everton sub, Theo Walcott, sidefooted over from close range near the end.

With virtually the last kick of the game, John McGinn led a counterattack by Villa and slipped the ball forward to El Ghazi, who skipped past Andre Gomes and slotted the ball underneath goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Villa, back in the Premier League after a three-year absence, opened the season with losses to Tottenham and Bournemouth.

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Aston Villa's Jack Grealish, right, discusses with Everton's Andre Gomes, center, 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) The Associated Press

Aston Villa's Jack Grealish controls the ball 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) The Associated Press

Aston Villa's Tyrone Mings, right, duels for the ball with Everton's Andre Gomes, center, and Everton's Michael Keane, left, 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) The Associated Press

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