Barkley trained his way into starting XI

I wouldn't even sell him for 㿔 million he is that good, he is every bit the modern day footballer, big, strong, athletic and quick. He certainly made a difference to Everton FC yesterday that's for sure.

It was a far better display yesterday. Lukaku finally looked like the penny had dropped, his overall play was so much improved and that's what we want from him on a week-in, week-out basis.

McCarthy and Coleman? Brilliant, just so happy they are back in our team, the work McCarthy gets through is sensational.

I thought Osman was the weak link again yesterday sadly, games pass him by nowadays. I just can't understand why Martinez never didn't push to sign Mo Diame ahead of Hull, the fella is simply a beast!

It also begs the question what now for the likes of Distin? Alcaraz slotted in very very confidently and was even surprisingly commanding in the air, it looked solid with Jagielka. I could understand why McGeady was left out yesterday, clearly shows Martinez isn't impressed with his form lately. Also, I think it's a big message to Atsu now that next time he sets foot on the pitch he HAS to start producing the goods.

Overall a very good win but we need to go on a winning run now, one win per month is no use. Another three points and nothing less next Sunday at Burnley.

Honestly though, with Besic, Barry, McCarthy and Gibson, I think we have too many similar players...and I think longer term Besic will prove a better player than Diame.

What we do need are quality long term replacements for Osman and Pienaar. Creative, tricky players, preferably with some pace too.

Agree completely about Barkley though. To play like that in his first game back after such a long time out? Amazing. Talk of him joining the England U21’s is frankly insulting given the dross that makes up the senior squad.

As for Alcaraz, it always baffles me when people say they are surprised he’s a good defender. I think he’s played a lot more good games than bad ones for us, and like someone said yesterday, he often seems to get the blame for others mistakes, and his mistakes get highlighted more than those of others.

The problem with McGeady starting in a midfield formation is he does not give us enough defensively and his ball retention has been poor all season. One of the reasons for me we have been so open and easy to get at.

The shape yesterday was much better, allied of course to the return of Barkley, and less commented on, but just as important, Seamus.

If it was a choice between Cleverly or Tadic then it's not even a contest.

I didn't even know Cleverly was playing until I checked on my phone the full Villa team about 40 minutes into the match, he was completely invisible.

Tadic on the other hand looks a right little gem of a player, just right up our street.

You have to hand it to Southampton, they always seem to either produce fantastic players or have a great scouting system bringing in crackers.

But Tadic looks a steal, and there were quite a few of us over the summer and last summer and January saying we should buy this lad and heÂ’s class and a set up artist and heÂ’s proving just that at Southampton! 㾶.8m looks a bargain with this lad and heÂ’dÂ’ve been a player that wouldÂ’ve improved us massively, and especially creative-wise in the final third as heÂ’s so unselfish, while one or two of our players get excited around the penalty box and get greedy! (McGeady, Osman).

Sigurdsson is another who I wouldnÂ’t of minded at us, heÂ’s quality and creative, got goals in him, heÂ’s another that wouldÂ’ve definitely added something to us!

'Barkley made a successful and encouraging return' would have more accurately represented the truth. And Martinez could have added, 'Let's hope we can keep the lad fit over longer periods!'

IÂ’m glad he started now, though. I really believe Lukaku will benefit more from him being back as well, as heÂ’ll give him more service. I thought he was excellent, especially in the 2nd half yesterday. We are starting to get our best players back now and I really believe we will start climbing the table.

Special mention as well to the ever willing Naismith yesterday who, once again, put in a magnificent shift. Personally I wouldnÂ’t go overboard on AlcarazÂ’s performance, he was up against nothing yesterday and was actually quite comfortable. That said, you can only play whatÂ’s put in front of you.

For that, he could become as revered as even Dixie Dean!

I agree that now he struggles in a 90 minutes game but he is an excellent impact sub and has changed the game when brought on with 30 minutes to go, replacing Barkley. Baines looked much happier with Pienaar in front of him and it was a foul on Pienaar that led to Ossie putting Baines in for the cross finished off by Coleman.

These are the players who create our goals, not McCarthy or Barry, and credit should be apportioned throughout the team who all played their part in a decent win. Every player has a part to play and we can compete with any team when we are playing well collectively!

While Osman obviously made more than a telling contribution for that third goal, it does not negate the fact that he was at times simply woeful for long periods of the match. It's obvious to anyone watching, he loses the ball, gets brushed aside with ease, moves break down when the ball comes to him... Why can't we be honest about this?

Makes space for other players. Fantastic talent and NOT injury prone like Dick Brady says.

Yes he is probably better either playing for an hour, or coming on late and picking out killer passes against tired defenders, but his style is fundamental to possession-based football like ours.

Couldn't agree more. Everton wouldn't be Everton if it couldn't find room for a player with Leon Osman's skills.

He has been a tremendous servant and more than reliable player over the last 10 years. I went to his testimonial, if ever a fella deserved it then Osman is that guy. I have loads of time for him just as I do for the likes of Hibbert, loyal people and fairly decent players.

The gripe is merely that, as with many players, age catches up and they become less effective than they were previously, and sadly I think this is the case with Ossie. He will still do affair job but the legs just don't have it anymore.

Pienaar is and has been one if my favourite players for the last 7 years and I believe the major issue with him is the injuries and lack of fitness but when he does play he's shown how much of a class player he still is. Pienaar never relied on pace anyway.

One own goal doesn't alter the fact that he gets blamed for others' mistakes and can only be judged when he's played a run of games. I hope he gets a good run in the team as we need at least one centre back comfortable with a football.

I think Alcaraz will be a good replacement for Stones but I'm not going to delude myself that he'll be playing week-in, week-out until Stones is back.

I always say, you can see a quality player as soon as he steps out on a football pitch, that's why all this talk about Atsu needing months worries me: in other words, his football has been poor so far that's why he's been dropped, for a better word.

If you are a player that possesses talents and are technically gifted, it generally shouldn't take half a season before we see what that player can offer.

Tadic fits in with how Southampton play, and given Martinez liking the ball to be used on the ground he'd have settled well here too. I admit I enjoy watching Southampton play; they play quality football and they move the ball around really fast, in a way that I wish we would on a more regular basis.

Everton are at their best when the game is high tempo and the ball is passed around quickly with intensity, but we look poor when we start slowing it down to snail pace and that's easy to defend against.

Southampton seem capable of playing 90 minutes of high pressing, high intensity football. The players are very well drilled and it's two or three years of very good coaching from first Pochetino and now Ronald Koeman.

Also someone mentioned on another thread – who gave the ball away least against Villa? McCarthy and Osman.