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Iwobi debut efforts not enough as Everton fall to shock loss at Aston Villa

Iwobi debut efforts not enough as Everton fall to shock loss at Aston Villa

Super Eagles star Alex Iwobi made his debut for new club, Everton, on Friday night and came close to scoring twice but ended up tasting defeat in the 2-0 loss to newly-promoted Aston Villa in a Premier League match at Villa Park.

Moraes Wesley put Villa ahead after 24 minutes with a finish into the bottom corner but Anwar El Ghazi sealed victory in the 95th minute at the end of a counter attack as Everton searched desperately for an equaliser at the other end but ended the night in frustration.

Iwobi was introduced alongside new signing Moise Kean in the 61st minute and swung straight into action as he was set up by a first-time Lucas Digne cross into the Villa box in the 70th minute only to see his shot on goal charged down by a defender and give Tom Heaton an easy save to make.

The Nigeria international forward, who joined Everton from Arsenal on transfer deadline day, got the beating of Heaton in the 82nd minute with a low shot aimed at the bottom corner, only for him to see his effort crash of the goal post.

But Everton’s best chance to equalise fell to fellow substitute and another former Arsenal star, Theo Walcott, on the stroke of 90 minutes when he was found by a brilliant cross in from Kean only for the English forward to send a first-time effort over the bar from close range.

Walcott’s miss proved costly as Villa made sure of a first Premier League win since 2016 by ending a breakaway under immense Everton pressure with a goal by substitute El Ghazi.

The Villa forward latched on to a pass into the area by McGinn and slotted under Jordan Pickford to send Villa Park into wild celebration with virtually the last kick of the game.

The result sees Iwobi’s Everton remain with four points after three games in ninth place on the Premier League table while Villa have shot up to 11th with three points ahead of the remaining fixtures in match-day three of the 2019/20 campaign.

What are your thoughts on Iwobi’s first game as an Everton player in the loss at Aston Villa? Share your views about it with us in the comment section.