With Kone injured, Vellios not rated, he let's Jelavic go and now Lukaku is injured. How does he think Mirallas will cope? Certainly not with Osman or McGeady.

Villa have this game in the bag thanks to the shortsightedness of Martinez.

I don't see how you can blame Martinez, he didn't know Lukaku was going to get injured before the giant was ready for a game.

I thought we would be lucky for a draw here and still do.

Personally, I think Osman gets a lot of stick (some of it justified mind) but at least he gives it a go; he probably wouldn't be in the team if everyone we're fit.

We need to start turning our possession into more chances and being a bit more skillful and creative, but I'm not moaning. We play some fantastic football and I'm a huge fan of our new style of play.

What a bizarre game!

Fantastic win though. Tremendous spirit, resolution, belie,f determination after the shocker on Tuesday.

Naismith as an out and out striker who would have thought and took that chance so well. Better finishing he could have had three. Hope he keeps it up and they play him more central in games to come. Barkley crocked again.

We need A DEFENCE SPLITTER. I thought it was Barkley but I don't know now.

We showed determination. Had 70% of the ball but it's what you do with it that counts. I feel we were fortunate to win in the end. I should'nt should I?

It’s all about attitude. Get that right and it’s like having an extra man. Would you say today looked like we had an extra man?

I thought so. Villa looked like they only touched the ball about three times. I also thought our new Irishman played well and wait till he’s fully fit, what a gem!

I caught bits of the second half and Naismith seemed to do well. I delighted for him. Three goals in two games now. Hopefully a sign of more to come.

We now have a full week before our next game, hopefully this will give the walking wounded more time to come back to ease selection worries.

I like especially the fact that Mirrallis pushed Bainsey off to take the free kick and scored a cracker.

I can't remember which season it was ,there have been too many, but we had no recognised striker then and we still carried on winning games with Tim Cahill.

Maybe Mirallis is becoming the player we all hoped he would be

Well done to the team and some lovely tweets from Lukaka to the team on the BBC sports page

Of course I wasn't going to mention MU losing but I can't resist it.

Villa defended well but thank god we broke them down after the derby disaster.

McGeady played well and McCarthy started to regain the form he has lost recently in the 2nd half.

Great result and very proud of Roberto and the boys

I didn't go the game due to illness but it shows character to come back particularly in our situation (injuries, thin squad, low morale etc.)

We're right back in it now and - sod it - we can make top 4.

The Anfield debacle illustrated the differences in respective squad depth as well as their class finishing. We had a massive off night and were poor. But with first team players coming back, we've got to show more and more character and grit.

David #011 - I agree completely.

Its always difficult when you don't have real quality, match fit players who can break down sides who play like that, especially when they get a goal to cling to, with their only foray forwards. We don't have a Hazard, Mata or Cazorla which is the quality of player it would take to have a decent chance of getting through that kind of defence, so I think the criticism of Martinez is mis-placed. How exactly is he meant to significantly shake things up? Play long balls up for Mirallas to battle with 3 centre backs?

Martinez didn't have a lot of options today, but changed it around as best he could. I was really impressed with Naismith and Osman who both played really well - can't believe I'd ever say that. Mirallas was on a hiding to nothing playing against a side who put so many bodies up there. Barkley looks off the pace and hopefully not injured, McGeady shows quality in glimpses and I suspect it will be a while before we see the best of him.

The player I was most disappointed with was Distin. He continually gave the ball away with really rubbish passes.

This result edges us ahead in the most played fixture in English football.

I'm made up for Naismith. When he first came along with Jelavic, he was virtually forgotten as Jelavic appeared prolific. Who'd have guessed that his Everton career would last the longer of the two?

One nice "bonus" following our infrequent defeats this season is not having to listen to Phil Neville's post match "motivational" soundbites. "We need to do better etc. etc."

Let's go on a run.

Keep the ball moving and in possession and we'll always have a good chance of a result. Well done Bob re the changes and well played boys, particularly in midfield. Interesting how we looked more dangerous when Barkley went off.

The gods were smiling as the teams around us all dropped points, so all in all a thoroughly satisfying day.

The derby defeat still hurts badly but RM deserves credit today for turning that around.

Good to see the manager making changes when needed during the game. It's amazing what a win like that does; it's cold, windy and wet but I couldn't care less!

Happy days!

Everyone knew what Villa were going to do, sit back and hit us on the break. Yet we started the game at home with two holding midfielders and three centrebacks on the pitch.

As ever we rely too much on the fitness of Pienaar. When him and Osman are fit and in form we play well. When they’re not we don’t have enough to break these defensive sides down. We need more play markers in the side not defensive mids or wingers.

Naismith has always scored when he plays up front. Criminally underused by two managers in a row. What he lacks in touch he makes up for in good finishing, intelligent runs, and proper centre-forward play.

Massive massive win today.

As far as a confidence booster after Tuesday's debacle was concerned, those two goals couldn't have come at a better time.

Well done guys, well done RM - take a bow!

Now back to me gin.

Too many people start moaning and groaning when it's not going well. The game is 90 minutes, the players keep going, let's give them a chance. How many times have we scored in the last 5 minutes over the last 5 year???

A very frustrating game to watch. First half was shocking with a lot of clueless football being played. The amount of offsides was ridiculous.

Good three points in the end. I hope this new striker can bang a few in and inject a bit of pace up front. We can’t rely on Naismith although he’ll always score his fair share when played in his right position.

What game what he fucking watching.

Also, supposedly Barkley coming off was a tactical decision.

Today, as Gerrard says, was all about the result and the 3 points for many reasons not least the confidence of the players. Baines was more like his old self today and his drive and determination helped to spur the team on at an important stage of the game. Villa are no mugs, and their record at Goodison in the last few years proves that, but we just had enough quality to make the difference and, in my opinion, Everton fully deserved the win and were not fortunate to win in the least.

Ossie cannot influence game from the half-way line as he doesn't have the pace or strength. Also, Naismith is a much better player in the centre, either as lone forward or as a No 2 off a big lad.

It's a dilemma that Martinez has to sort out quickly; Barkley is a huge potential but Ossie does actually link players in better than Barkley does at the moment.

Some of our fans are fickle beyond belief sometimes

However, how wrong we were, right back in the fold with Spurs and Man U both dropping points and Liverpool facing a tough test tomorrow.......

The weekend could yet prove to be vital in the run in..........

COYB - we are with you all the way!!

Not to mention that if Hull can walk away with some against Spurs...

Hard to take them seriously to be honest.

Hopefully Barkley coming off was tactical. Next week that team plus Coleman and Pienaar in for Stones and Osman, should get a lot more chances versus Spurs, with Deulofeu as impact sub!

Happy Days!! Come on you Toffees!!

Under the circumstances, all things considered, that is one of the most important results of the season. We HAD to respond to midweek. A negative result would have been a roadblock on any momentum.

The home form is vital and must be maintained. Away wins are hard to come by in this league and in reality a draw at Spurs would represent a very good result, it would cancel them out as well. But there is more emphasis on it now, especially after not picking up the three at West Brom. Its in games like that we have to capitalise.

We left ourselves huge tasks at the back end of last season, needing wins at Spurs and Arsenal, and the draws were tinged with disappointment, when in reality we were excellent in both games.

But anyway.... made up today, made up for the players. I would love to see us stay in the mix till the end of the season. That would represent genuine progress.

We ain't perfect, we can't be with our squad size, and Martinez is having to bob and weave at the minute, but we showed we're not ready to fade out just yet.

While he will never set the world alight, he always gives 100%, is excellent in the air for his size and most importtantly knows how to put the ball in the net. I wouldn't have him in our starting eleven with a fully fit squad but he is an excellent squad player.

I wouldn't mind knowing what his stats are like for goals scored per minutes played?

If only the Board gave a modicum of support to managers who get us into a good position by New Year, I would have some optimism. I'd even be glad to see a further influx of Wigan players!

The good ship Martinez still sailing along nicely

I think you are spot on. We had the usual pro / anti Ossie debate before the game, even though I'd promised myself I'd stop getting involved.

The funny thing the anti brigade still won't see it, claiming he can't last 90 mins, he goes missing etc etc. Personally, I thought he showed leadership today and along with Pienaar and Baines were the standout performers.

Tom Bowers @ 007 particularly gormless: "How does he think Mirallas will cope? — Fucking brilliantly — that's how. He's really stepped up in the last couple of games and that free-kick was right out of the top drawer.

Great win today fantastic team effort. As a previous poster stated it is a shame Pinnear isn't 22, but as he isn't we need to find a replacement.

I think we will do better than expected this season especially with all the injured coming back over the horizon.

Looking forward to seeing how the giant links in with the team
COYB!

I reckon though, when the games get tight and you go for two up top, Naismith comes into his own, with a natural predatory instinct, similar to Cahill. He doesn't just 'Pop' up, he knows where to be, and we have been given a little bit of evidence to show he knows how to finish. My best bet is the bench for him, and second striker when he comes on, because given how go at teams, he will score goals as part of a two-man strike force.

It was noticeable to me when McCarthy moved to right-back, but more like a right-winger, that due to our dominance we could afford two strikers with Osman right behind and it worked. It won't always but it did today.

Next week we will have more players back and will be stronger still. Great result today and full credit to the manager and the players.

If you want to see players who brought shame upon the shirt then you should check out some of the yard dogs who played for us in the early 70s or 90. And what about some of old uncle Walter's boys? Nyarko, Linderoth? Alexandersson and OAP's Gazza and Ginola, and Nev playing on his last legs etc...?
At least these lads have skill and passion for the team.

The second half re-organisation paid dividends with more sustained pressure in the areas that count. Still too much pointless passing at the back against a team who were happy to retreat and try to protect their one goal lead (if Lambert considers that to be excellent, rather than merely very disciplined, then he has very limited ambition).

McCarthy was simply spectating at times in the first half, but he wasn't the only one who seemed satisfied as the game passed them by. He really woke up in the second half and made an important difference, especially when supporting McGeady when Stones went off.

Mirallas worked hard and scored a fantastic goal but he got caught offside far too often. With his pace he could have kept a yard off the offside line until the ball was played and still been favourite to make it his. Needs more work if he is going to lead the line more often.

I mean it wasn't as if we were playing bad. We were pissing round them and it was only a matter of time before the first goal came.

Maybe I am getting old, but some of the comments here and on the live forum today were really over the top. Martinez is not God, he will make mistakes! He has been at our club just over half a season. He is doing good. Today again, he showed he can turn a game around.

Pienaar and Osman were great today, and Mirallas is getting better every game, but must play wide. Have a nice weekend!

Thank God we didn't cock up today.

I do hope you meant passing and not pissing.

Made up for Naisy. He's a forward not a right or left winger. Great to see him get a chance through the middle and show what he can do.

Works hard, has an eye for goal and clearly loves being at Everton.

Bang on Nev, some people need to get a grip.

Onwards and upwards!

It was not a foul, it was a good tackle. For all his ability, he still has to learn about where to play and where not to play, no problem for me as long as he develops.

I think he got a more sympathetic reaction than if some others had made the same mistake... no names, no pack drill.

Onwards and upwards, Coleman back next week with Del Boy and maybe Traore, plus a fitter Barkley... maybe the storm that others wanted our lads 'fined a months wages' for is coming to an end!

COME ON, WEST BROM'!

Ross is an attacking midfielder, not one to play off the striker and he is playing there for now whilst he gains experience and when he loses the ball it is not too dangerous (that's the theory I think).

At home against most teams we could put him CM and a more natural attacker up front – not a problem against the bigger teams as they will try to come out and play which leaves the space which Ross can exploit.

I followed the live forum for a while today and was disgusted by both the negativity and appalling language. We all get worked up during a game but true supporters do not direct such bile at their own players — everyone does better if they feel supported but I can't ever recall a player improving because his "supporters" direct abuse at him.

Made up for Nais and Ossie!!!!

We’ve seen the passing work (at the Emirates) but it involves the other team wanting to get on the ball which neither Villa nor Liverpool wanted to. In those circumstances players like McCarthy are not much use as he doesn’t have the craft to break down a stubborn defense. We missed Gibson for this game but ultimately we are permanently missing Arteta. Had we gone to Anfield and been allowed that much poossession with Arteta in the middle there’d be no question we’d have created more. As it was we were completely blunt due to the McCarthy Barry axis.

Maybe only 'Hibbert's brace secures Champions League football' would surprise me more.

Ossie looked like the only player capable of doing something for long periods of that game and Naismith scores again when he gets to play his favourite position. I've seen loads of him for Rangers and he always looked sharp when played up the top. People forget that he had a horrendous couple of injuries. Hopefully the boo boys can lay off them for a few weeks.

Things are beginning to look up again, if West Brom can manage a draw tomorrow we can look forward to Traore, Coleman and Deulofeu coming back into the side.

What a complete difference from last week. When we play RS we seem to develop an inferiority complex. We also seem to go out of our way to make stupid mistakes. We handled Villa far better than they did a few weeks ago.

Mirallas caught offside far too much first half but what a goal!

Well done Nais, Showed fight and running everywhere.

Jags and Stones very dodgy at times.

Barry off the boil.

We are doing very well much better than under OFM

Keep the faith

James Martin pines for Arteta who for the last two years of his tenure passed it sideways and backwards and hardly went forward, plus always got by passed
In the derby.

No reason at all why he can't do the same against the top teams if he's given that quality of ball. That's the main reason we got killed on Tuesday, the quality of RS through balls that led to two of their goals were unplayable; if the forward's run is timed perfectly — they're gone!

Naismith is not your RVP type player, who is! But he'll score against any quality of team if he's given the passes to run onto.

Lukaku either hasn't the ability yet, to time his runs well enough, or he's not getting the quality of ball to do it, that's the main reason for me why his goals have dried up.

Yes, we have a small squad, but Roberto wants to bring in the right players, and there were non available in this window. It's a difficult balance between getting in numbers and getting the right long-term players who will significantly improve the squad. This situation has been exacerbated by the unusually long list of injuries. This is also an opportunity for the youngsters to step up and make an impact.

Still, onward and upwards. I still love you, Roberto.

One criticism - and someone else had the footballing intelligence that I do not to point this out on another thread:

Is there any reason why every corner is an outswinger?

Maddening....

Not bitching, just sayin

It was pretty painful to be honest and I think we got out thought by Rodgers. However at least we tried to have a go, we went out believing we could beat them. As it happened they played well, shit happens.

Today the team showed character, probably our most important win so far this season.

Recently, we've had some rotten luck re injuries and it was obvious from the selection that certain players (on the bench) almost certainly weren't ready for a full 90.

However he didn't moan or curse his luck, he made what he thought was his best selection under the circumstances and got on with it.

And...it didn't work.

Well, certainly not in the first half - the first half looked really odd, like he'd picked a defence and a midfield and..forgotten about an attack.

Plus with no Coleman runs on the right, Stones 'not entirely comfortable' at right back and no Pienaar on the left, it just looked a bit..um..toothless.

(plus some of them REALLY need to work on their concentration re passing - a lot of it was incredibly sloppy)

So second half he brought on Naismithm a player who has his limitations and his (imo far too critical) critics, yet he immediately gave their defence something (different) to contend with.

Worked his nuts off (as he always does) aided by Pienaar's introduction, which gave them even more to contend with.

We weren't great today but we didn't give up, we kept going and we absolutely deserved the points.

Plus is there anything more satisfying than a keeper who has been wasting time, suddenly rushing to get the ball up the park?

Up the toffees!

Good way to recover from the derby. Lets hope WBA help us tomorrow.

[Some of you might think I've lost my marbles or been trampled by an elephant, but those of you in the know will understand me.]

I don't think he's ever been played in his best position which is as a No 10 playing off a striker. He is not a midfield player, his ball retention is not good enough.

However he has good movement and he finishes well. Is he good enough in the long run? I'm not sure... but he's certainly not as bad a player as some have portrayed.

Nevertheless 3 points in the bag and that without a world class striker.

They covered the history of the club along with Aston Villa and said that the match today was the most played fixture since the pro game began. Also talked about all the good work the club does in the community, free school etc.

Then they interviewed Roberto, what a charmer he is, you can see the regard the guy is held in by interviewers and ex players who were working for the BBC. As per usual, he answered every inquiry with perfect sense and ease.

My only concern is that we're not the only ones who can see what a quality manager and person he is. Just hope he stays for a long time.

Barry has been poor the last three games and McCarthy was very poor 1st half because they are having to try to do more with the ball as we are not creating from out wide.

Both of their strengths lie in winning ball and short passes. Gibson is not as strong defensively but offers another dimension as he passes the ball much better and I feel (if he can ever get and stay fit) he is the future alongside McCarthy.

I still disagree, I've watched it a few times, it was a good tackle.

Ross played in the wrong place, it happens with young players, especially those that have the balls he does. He will learn from it.

However, I do get frustrated with the slow build up play and the messing about with it at the back (all high class problems, when we win).

I think nuts for me is pivotal, its no coincidence that when he's rubbish we are! - thing is, he's so inconsistent - would of been a world beater if he could find some consistency.

As for super Kev - always rated him - world class without a doubt. Not sure he's a forward though.

I must apologise as well for my negativity on the match thread - been having a bad day!

COYB....aleez aleez.....Ohh

What is true and nobody can deny is that we do not score enough goals to be in the champions league challenging places. The top four score far more than us. Everyone reads Martinez as a progressive, attacking manager. But we are the only team in top seven places who plays two defensive midfielders. I do not like it.

He never moans, lets his head go down or cheats and seems very happy to do a job for the squad throughout the season as and when required. I think some people are deluded or expect ten Ronaldos on the pitch every week. I like to think of him a kind of Alan Harper type or- maybe at a push if given the chance - a Graham Stuart type of player. Either way he tries, he plays for Everton...get behind him!

Arsenal and Liverpool play 4-2-3-1, both play 2 deep midfielders.

Its the reason, along with a tight, experienced back 4, that we are very sold and give little away. Its a cracking system that promotes flexibility and solidity and means you can get a lot of attack minded players on the pitch.

These days those players tend to be attacking midfielders/wide players.

Firstly, our attacking mids/wide players don't score enough goals. Although we looked a lot more potent early on this season.

Secondly, we have no depth up top and Lukaku has 9 goals. We have had no option on giving him a break and no legitimate cover.

Put it like this. If Thierry Henry from back in the day played for us, we'd win the league.

Over half the season is gone, we've kept hold of our best players through 2 transfer windows, Baines is signed up for 4 more years, playing some of our best footy since the 80's, 1pt out of a champions league spot, last 16 of the FA cup with a home draw coming, but you aren't satisfied because we're playing 2 'defensive' midfielders and should be doing better.

I think some people expect a little too much of Everton and think because we're not winning three or four nil every week we have somehow once again cheated the football purists.

Why do you think teams come to Goodison and park the bus? Did Chelsea not slip-up at home to West Ham in midweek? Given time and a better understanding of our method of play the players will become more adept with this style and we may well hand out a couple of hidings to teams in the coming months.

But the fact that the whole of the bottom half of the division could be relegated calls for patience from supporters as many games will be similar to today's. It's unfair to judge Everton against the free-spending clubs but it doesn't mean we are a poor team or that we don't deserve to be up there challenging.

With the way Villa approached the game today it was tailor made for someone like McCarthy to say to himself "I am going to go looking to get on the ball as much as possible and help make something happen." At times he was very static when it looked like the defenders were hoping for someone to make themselves available. He wasn't playing badly, just not as brightly as I would have hoped, and was as much at fault as any other for the generally slow tempo we were playing.

Second half he was miles better in terms of using his energy and strong running ability, especially when tasked with slotting in behind McGeady after Stones went off. I understand that in some ways he may have been operating to instructions but I would still expect a professional player to act on their own initiative when the opportunities arise to move things up a gear.

What is unbelievable about thinking we could be doing better with what I think is a very good squad of players? Are you saying that 4-0 to the shite or draws with West Brom home and away or draws with Stoke and Palace are the best we can aspire to?

Why are we not beating these teams, teams which in my estimate at least we are far better than regardless of whether we spend £100 million. Are you satisfied to have 70% possession and no goals?

Although we didn’t play particularly well today I was impressed with the discipline shown by Martinez in his selection and his game plan. Some were bemoaning the lack of a plan B even with the injury list we have. Others bemoaned the lack of spending in January. Naismith did well today and while he is not the perfect striker he works hard and gets in goal scoring situations. Osman did a good job for us today and again he is not the perfect midfield playmaker but his performance was a positive one today. I grew up thinking that fickle was a trait of the RS but it appears I am wrong. Kept the faith! COYB!!!

We were also playing a team who gave Liverpool a right bloody scare and should have whupped them, so this was never going to be an easy game. Considering just what few options we had, I thought we were excellent today.

Sure, there were misplaced passes and we seemed scared in the first half, of letting go of the ball and I think that was an after-effect of what happened on Tuesday. Even so, our players pulled their tripes out, never gave up, and it must have been gutting for them to see the opposition score the way they did.

Still, they came out in the second half and tore into Villa who, whenever we attacked, had seven, eight or nine men back and they were quite disciplined with it. I thought they played well.

I was chuffed to bits for Naisy. What bottle the lad has and what a work ethic. It seems to me that he had a real torrid time under Moyes and I felt for him. I think he's a decent player and in and around the box, he's dangerous.

I also thought the introduction of Pienaar made a big difference as well. He gave an outlet for Bainesy and the both of them began to tear into Villa. The first goal was a good move and a great ball from Pienaar and well finished by Naisy.

It was good to see Kevin not giving up. Some say he was ineffective but he always had three, four or more players on him whenever he had a chance of getting the ball. I also thought Aiden McGeady showed some good touches and plenty of skill.

All in all, we did really well to win this game. Villa were very disciplined and I think the spirit our players showed was top notch. Perhaps, with more of our players returning to some form of fitness, it will give Roberto much more in the way of options in the coming months.

.

Yes, his movement changed the game and he's a good trier but there's no way I'd start him up front against Spurs. I thought he was way out of his depth having to play up top against Liverpool for a longer period. Coming on like today against weaker opposition is the best way to use him I think.

Nobody has mentioned what I thought was the turning point today, namely Vlaar coming off. Villa defended brilliantly and I don't think it was a coincidence that gaps started to open up when he was subbed.

I thought McGeady was very well handled by Bertrand although he could've done with Seamus behind him. It's not Stones's game.

I think it was a great result considering the squad we have available but I'd be hoping that Traore is fit for next week although maybe Mirallas up front away from home might work if we can get Barkley and him playing on the counter-attack.

My honest appraisal is he has some energy and keeps the ball moving but only ever sideways or back and even then only 5 yards. If he was as good at winning it back like a Makale or Mascherono I'd get it a bit more but I don't see it.

Someone earlier was debating who else out of the top teams plays with two defensive midfielders and I would argue none of them. They may match our formation but the central midfielders at all of the top teams are either better creatively or score goals. For instance arsenal use Arteta and Ramsey, the RS use Lucas and Gerrard and so on.

I am not criticising them and in general I am very happy with the way we play but if we don't have quality out wide then nothing comes through the middle and that was obvious during the first half today. I think Barkley will eventually add regular goals to his game like Lampard and Gerrard have done consistently over the years and that will help take pressure off our number 9 whoever it may be long term.

I had Mirallas down as a bit of a fancy dan....good when things were going our way but not one for trench warfare and a bit of a selfer. After his gutsy performance on Tuesday and pulling out the winner after a middling game today I take my hat off to him.

Keep it up Kev....our walking wounded will be back soon to help you! One negative though.....looked at our run in to the season....very tough. The Cup might be our best bet.....

For some of us McCarthy was definitely one of those who was playing well within his comfort zone in the first half. If you think he was all guns blazing (as he could / should have been given the limited ambitions of the opposition) then I don't know what you were watching.

As on Tuesday, his second half performance was much more in line with what some of us think he can consistently produce.

Since others have already likened him to Roy Keane, do you think that even at the age of 23 Keane would have been satisfied to be cruising or do you think he would have been the first to rouse himself, start demanding the ball and try to rouse everyone out of their apparent daze?

I wouldn't hope for great things from the lad if I hadn't already seen an awful lot I like, but that shouldn't prevent me from pointing out when he has slipped from his own high standards or taken a step up to the next level when an opportunity comes his way, such as when the RS are suffocating our defence or when Villa are happy to vacate the midfield.

Tom Bowers - 007 - 'Martinez has really goofed up here ... Villa have this game in the bag thanks to the shortsightedness of Martinez'

007! Not exactly a special agent. My name is Bowers, Tom Bowers, and I say dumb things about the Everton Football Club gaffer Roberto Martinez, a sprite, diet sprite, lemon twist, on the rocks .........

Also, the team that we put out had 70% possession again today and only scored two goals against we should've been hammering them out of sight. They went to Anfield a couple of weeks ago and played them off the park, getting a draw in a game they should've won, who'd have thunk, eh?

What a fucking free kick! Keep the faith

Blood hell, if he could run all over the field and tackle then lay the ball off to a more creative midfield partner (that's his role) PLUS be creating all are openings as well he'd be worth £130m not the £13m we paid for him.

It's a team game, each player plays to their strongest attributes!.

Some piss-poor ref decisions on show again with Bacuna deserving a card for his studs up slide that luckily missed Baines and that fucking Ikea reject, the wardrobe with feet, Holt who should have seen multiple yellows. I counted over a dozen fouls for Villa and no yellows, less than half a dozen for Everton and we get a card?

Second half a much better display if not more of the same laboured build-ups. I was ecstatic with the result and two very well taken goals; we needed that result after Tuesday... bring on Spurs.

Lukaku has all the tools to be a top striker but, if he carries on in this lethargic manner, he’s never going to make it. He’s a completely different player now to the one who changed the game against West Ham or ran Newcastle ragged.

I was more confident with Naismith bearing down on goal today than I would have been if it had been Lukaku. I keep hearing about how he’s a 20-goal-a-season striker but despite playing most games for us with a host of creative players behind him he doesn’t look like he’s going to get to 20.

I despair sometimes, I really do.

Same team for next week with Coleman replacing Stones. That team should get a result at Spurs next week.

We should've bought him...

I know what your saying, yeah Wenger does tend to play a genuine holder and another, but Arsenal sometimes play Atreta and Flamini together.

Liverpool play a holder and Gerrard, who plays much deeper these days and certainly cant do anything like he used to. The three ahead can be Sturridge/Coutinho/Sterling. Those 3 contain much more goal threat. Well, 2 of them do. Sterling not so much but he is very creative.

We have no real options in front of the back 4 in there. Im not saying we shouldnt, im all for having options. Ossie is I suppose, didnt he play with Barry againt Chelsea at home? Possibly Pienaar. I think Barkley has played it.

UItimately though, I think there are other reasons why we are more grinding the results at the minute.

For example, the striker issues and a lack of goals from the off the striker position. Barkley, young, developing and talented, needs to add more goals. That will come, as hes too good not to be able to. Losing Duelofeo didnt help.

The little Spanish wizard is back soon and im hoping that will help. McGeady has a goal in him as well and is another option. Mirallas needs to add more goals from open play and a lad with his talent should be netting more.

We started off slow and it was frustrating but we totally dominated a team who I think were on a pretty good run this year. And to all the screamers and shouters and haters who expect it to always smell of roses, we are Everton, this is how we roll.

Agree. And that was my view in the away game at Villa.

He not only defends brilliantly but organises the back four so well. In both games they've had a very tightly-knit back four, playing a high line, with a midfield 3/4 playing so close to the back four, compressing the space and the game into the middle third of the pitch. In both cases that left us with absolutely no space to play an expansive, passing game.

In the away game, the big change was Osman coming on second half and absolutely bossing the game. Yesterday the big change for me was clearing Mirallas out from striker position (I've only ever seen Jelavic caught offside so much), putting him wider and getting Nais up front, his best position.

Love the comment from (who was it above?) comparing Holt to a wardrobe with wheels, or some such!

But well done to Naismith now, credit were credit is due. He’s played better.

You write bollocks here Ian and if you want to give a true flavour of the forum then have the due decency to all the posters there to try and make an attempt however small to give accurate pictures.

I suppose I was wrong to say it was the turning point as far as the result goes.

I just felt that we got through them easier after he'd gone off I suppose.

Not as important as I made out obviously.

I am however more than angry with Kenwright. Year after year, he plays the same stroke. Here we have a dynamic young manager in Martinez, who has absolutely transformed this team who are now most of the time a joy to watch, and could be on the verge of Champions League football; at the time we could do with a bit of support with another body or two, Kenwright does another moonlight flit with his tart, as he does every year when he is asked to open his wallet.

As far as I’m concerned, if we do not make Europe this year, any anger should directed to him and his board — not Martinez .