James still missing.

Interesting to see Simms on the bench. Simms and Gordon our only attackers on the bench, so I wonder if any will see action today as I can't see Rondon playing a full 90/

It appears RB has got Everton security up and running. Not a whisper anywhere of problems with any of the players left out all week.

Going to be a bit more difficult now. I fancied Richy to do the business today.

I'll take Digne for 1st goalscorer - a free kick.

Not sure about Pickford. Guess something happened in training?

If the 3 goes tits up, guess we have Holgate & Kenny to reorganise.

Formation could be 3 at the back but l reckon Godfrey could be at right back so we can play 4411 with lwobi in the hole.

Huge test today. No other choice than to start Rondon but also good to see some kids on the bench.

Formation could be 3 at the back but l reckon Godfrey could be at right back so we can play 4411 with lwobi in the hole.

Huge test today. No other choice than to start Rondon but also good to see some kids on the bench.

I'm expecting a flat back four with Godfrey at right back rather than a three - the latter wasn't exactly a success last time out. If so, Rafa has balls of steel to put Godfrey ahead of Kenny - a proper right back - and to keep James off the bench even when we can't fill it.

Same with Gbamin. What’s up with this guy? Honestly. Worst signing ever

Godfrey in Seamus position. Will help to cover Keane weakness on his right that cost Everton goals against last season. Hopefully Keane abd Mina won't get pushed deep as they did against Burnley. It will be interesting to see what Romdom can do.

Together with Dom's absence, that's our first line attack force missing. It's a reminder of something that has been the case for a number of season's now. Starting XI can give anyone a game. Start picking up injuries and absentees and the quality drops.

Gonna be a good challenge this.

Who is going to step up and be today's hero?

That’s true but there’s no one on the bench who can improve the team they’re simply proverbial bodies. James fit on not has at least a skill set. He could do more in five minutes than that lot in a season

It’s a good game we are matching Villa, because we now work very hard, but it’s a massive pitch, with our two centre backs playing deeper than the ocean, and I just hope this doesn’t catch up with us in the second half.

Rondon doesn't appear to know where he should be in the box and those in crossing positions don't seem to know if there is anybody in the box or where they are. It might take an effort from outside the box to open the scoring but we look short of players upfront both to make the defence think and to stretch them.

Happy it's a flat back four with Godfrey at right back. Contrary to some, I don't think his best performances for Everton have been at centre back.

Playing with 3 centre backs v Burnley we didn't see or use his pace and barnstorming runs forwards. He has more licence to do that from full back as we are seeing today.

Interesting tactics by both teams. Rafa has set us up trusting his back four to repel them whilst keeping our speedsters forward to counter.

Yes, Villa is having some joy with their wing backs Targett and Cash, but once we turn it over we are exploiting well the space they have vacated.

I think it's ex-Villa man Andy Townsend as the in-match commentator on my feed and he said Smith and Villa will be the happier. Dunno why. It's an extremely well balanced game and I would say we've had the clearer chances to score.

Early on excellent first touch by Rondon, just denied. Good header from the resulting corner. Gray sliding a great ball into the 6-yard box Rondon was on a heels a bit in anticipating. Keane header past the post on another corner.

SUPERB save by Bergovic. Good tidying up of the afters by Keane.

I hope the match continues in the same vein, but with a goal for Everton, naturally.

Who's going to blink first?

Noticeable how fast we break, Rafa wants to take advantage on transition. McGinn a major loss for them. Handled them pretty well, cracking save from Begovic, earned his paycheck.

Could go either way, feel 3 points is attainable here.

Noticeable how fast we break, Rafa wants to take advantage on transition. McGinn a major loss for them. Handled them pretty well, cracking save from Begovic, earned his paycheck.

Could go either way, feel 3 points is attainable here.

Maybe it's the words you use that some sensitive souls find offensive but, despite a semi-decent start to this season, I feel the lad just lacks "bottle" – which is annoying as fuck because he actually has talent.

Rafa out.

Rafa out.

Lucas Digne is a left-back not playing as a left-back.

Hugely disappointing to have thrown a game away that we have controlled.

Digne been poor.

C'mon Anthony, big 20 mins.

Lack of squad depth showing up now. Not all doom and gloom though, keep the faith

As I type Begovic has let a 3rd go through his hands.

Poor.

Last week we are on top and don't push it, Villa on top and push it.

Good job they don't have Grealish.

Godfrey getting found out tonight as well and calls for him to start as centre-half every game still premature for me, mind you look at Keane and Mina and maybe, at times, it's justified.

Pathetic surrender job.

QPR and Norwich in our next two games badly need to restore the moral deflating way we have collapsed here.

Might as well give them some game time, mind.

Three years he's been here and we are starting Alex Iwobi as a right back!

Time for questions regarding Marcel, in my opinion, swanning around like something out of Ocean's Eleven won't cut it mate.

However, the ref again has been very poor. Mings should've been off the pitch and Gray was held back when he was through on goal at 0-0.

The fine line between letting the game flow and giving fouls is starting to do my head in. We have lost players due to Burnley's rough play and now we are being beaten away due to not having our best players. The ref is again not protecting us. Annoying.

Everton could have taken the lead just before the Villa opener. But it was only a matter of time before Villa scored.

Although they hadn't been great, they had been better than Everton, so no quarrels on the score. However, if the manager didn't realise how limited this squad was, he surely does now. Mid-table here we come and hope that we can somehow fluke a cup.

Very hard to score with no striker on the field. Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison are sorely missed, it shows how thin the squad is in certain areas.

Can't criticise Rafa too much but eight subs and no Rodriguez doesn't make sense – especially when he's training.

We've got and had more pressing matters, the reliance on a 33-year-old Seamus Coleman as number one right-back is negligible. I've loved Coleman but he's more on the way out than in with his career.

For me, Calvert-Lewin was the big miss today. Rondon was a big lump of nothingness. And our bench was empty - sorry, but Gordon should be nowhere near this team.

Rafa will sort it out. Away game and we lost. End off.

It wasn't a collapse as such, just that Everton didn't have enough good players on the park to cause Villa too much trouble and Gomes, like some others, can't seem to cut it outside of the confines of Goodison Park.

We have one right-back, one left-back and I can't remember last having a bench that didn't rely on youngsters.

I'm pleased with the manager, he's the right man for the job so far, but to see Villa overtake us from being in the Championship a few years ago... serious questions need to be asked.

And sorry, but the James situation is officially a farce. An hour in, 0-0, the game crying out for a bit of creativity, and James isn't even an option because Benitez would literally prefer to have an empty spot on the bench. And the fitness excuse doesn't fly anymore, not when Rondon waltzes straight into the team and is clearly gassed after 10 minutes.

Still... the Mings & Gray incident... Mings was clearly grabbing Gray it should have been sending off for Ming. He was the last defender, just outside the box.

Had the referee slightly better in doing his job, at least checking with VAR the whole game might have been different.

Having said that, our defense was really really bad like Holgate; I'm afraid Godfrey started to feel out of depth as well.

Brilliant Brands and management not doing anything on getting us a new right-back... Bravo!

The likes of Lamptey, Coufal, Walker-Peters, Pereira, James Justin and Livramento have all been bought for affordable prices. I don't understand how we have failed to bring in back-up for Coleman for so long.

From start to finish this one has to go down to the Manager, short of players so short of ideas. Ancelotti come early but there needs to be more thought on a "Plan B" when your best aren't available.

They must be rubbing their hands.

There are some massive earners on the books that either don't want to be here, can't be here for reasons we cannot go into, or just plain should not be near our club. But with what we put out tonight, any honest Evertonian couldn't've expected too much and scraping a draw or stealing a win was all I hoped for after seeing the team sheet.

But the first goal was key, end of. COYB!

Those criticising Gordon are pathetic, what do you expect a kid to do when you are 3-0 down and playing shit? I also hope those who criticise Richarlison now realise how important he is to the team. He was a bigger miss than Calvert-Lewin.

I won't get too down on this result – missing 4 starters was just a bit too much for the squad that we have. Let us move on and hope that one of our young players has a breakout season.

Begovic isn't Pickford.
Rondon isn't Calvert-Lewin.
And Iwobi isn't a footballer.

Sad but true. I could hear the crack when our paper-thin squad snapped in two.

Iowbi hasn't got it on the left foot. Villa defence never stretched. Gomes's best shot was deflected.

Squad depth is not sufficent to also compete in FA Cup and Caraobo Cup and compete in the Premier League.

Somehow, it has to be onwards and upwards for the next game.

It's obvious that cover is desperately needed for both full-back positions; however, at this stage, it's increasingly obvious that left-back is emerging as a bigger problem than right-back.

Totally agree re Gray "foul". Big call that Ref, assistant and VAR got wrong. Give that and Mings could have been off and the game changes.

Rodriguez is fit and being paid £250k a week but with our injuries it beggars belief he didn't even make the bench.

Rondon and Godfrey also not fit and Digne so far this season is having a shocker.

I don't know what you see in Mina, but today, what the rest of us saw was the best performance by any of our backline. He directed traffic, blocked shots, won every header he challenged for, and made a couple of very sweet passes (plus an elegant touch in their box). He was our second-best player today besides Gray.

And, you know, some of us really like that he scraps with opposing players. This club needs more of that.

Actually might be a good thing! Need to work harder and for 90 minutes. We deserved something today, it wasn't that bad. First goal was crucial today! Our movement and work rate has improved 100% from last season.

The 2nd half continued to be an evenly balanced game until their opener and a disasterous 3 minutes for Digne. For the opener, for the first time in the game a Villa player got in behind us with a run on goal. Digne just not alert to Cash.

Give credit to the excellent delivery on the corner by Bailey. Digne had to jump for it IMO. Unfortunate consequences.

The discipline we'd shown until then went to pieces. Godfrey drifting too far left and the whole defence high on the half way line giving the road runner Bailey all our half to run through and score.

I can appreciate the squad was stretched, but Rafa got a bit too funky with his subs today. Okay, Rondon might well not be up to match fitness and needed subbing out on the hour just before their opener. But Gomes coming on and Iwobi pushed up front? It changed the dynamic of our play.

At two goals down and bringing on Anthony Gordon for Allan caused further disruption. Who the hell was meant to be doing what and where?

Three goals down and Kenny for Godfrey could possibly be for one of two reasons:
1) Rafa was pissed with Godfrey for his poor play on the third goal;
2) Godfrey, like Rondon, isn't quite fully match fit yet.

At least it was a like-for-like switch. Davies for Iwobi was perhaps an attempt to restore some balance in midfield, having already removed Allan, but it left us totally toothless up front.

One defeat and I see the wrist slitters and out in force. Yup. A 3-0 loss is never good, but the game play over the 90 minutes makes it a harsh scoreline IMO.

China.

We lost. We had three of our best players missing. We played poorly. We have a manager who does seem to care but he wil need time and patience. Us fans also need to be patient, as difficult as it might be.

There are far too many Evertonians who are only happy with a win. We all want to win but we are really no more than a good average team. Reality has stepped in.

That was tactically poor, creatively non-existent and organizationally absurd. Individual performances left behind on the bus. That was one of the worst disorganized performances I have seen for years.

So bereft of talent on the bench, we put Iwobi up front... Gordon? Davies? Townsend was poor, Rondon looked dreadfully slow, and for anyone to say James doesn't deserve his place after that...

Of course it's personal! There were no saving graces from that performance; so much for the Rafa effect!

Rafa can't do anything about the squad size but he can sort out the James situation which is an embarrassment. If he's here, use him! A lot of pride has to be swallowed on all sides to sort that one out.

QPR next and that won't be easy with injuries in the squad. I have a feeling we are going to need a lot of patience.

Godfrey was burned out by 60 minutes and Michael Keane was burned out before the kick-off.

If you watch the first goal, Keane did not close the Villa player down who was then able to slide a perfect pass around the back of Digne for Cash to run onto.

Digne then compounded his poor start to the season by heading a “Sandy Brown” into his own net... and the rest, as we say, is history – with Bailey rubbing salt into the wounds by showing us what we missed out on.

I was surprised with how well we did in the first half, to be honest, with such a poor-looking (on paper) team. They all (or most of them) played with discipline and fight for 45 minutes but it's no substitute for skill or class.

Begovic did well but his distribution is very poor. Godfrey is not a right back (Mr Brands). Doucouré should've been pushed forward, not Gomes. Rondon didn't win one header and looks unfit. And Iwobi is a waste of a shirt. As for the subs? Well, I'll keep my counsel.

So with all of the above-mentioned weaknesses a defeat had to be expected. It's how we react which will show us if Senor Benitez and his bandidos are the real deal or not.

Biggest bollock we dropped was not keeping hold of Olsen as back-up and getting Begovic on a free instead. Are we really that close to FFP limits that we could not retain Olsen?

Bailey as a few of us said watching the Gold Coast tournament, was by far the best player and things were looking good that we would get him, but we let him and Dumfries join other clubs instead.

I can only assume Simms is still injured because, for me, when Rondon went off, we seemed to lose our shape big time and should have done a like-for-like swap.

Need to get Pickford, Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin back, and those thinking Coleman is busted and no longer a great player, he is still one of our better players and, for me, has another season or so left.

Digne can't defend and Godfrey had a shocking second half. Rondon looked really slow today. There's no-one to come in who will improve us until Calvert-Lewin comes back.

"That was one of the worst disorganized performances I have seen for years."

I think we've seen quite a few of those over the last few years, remember Man City at the end of last season for example. I think most of us realised that today would be an uphill battle, once the team sheets had been confirmed.

Nevertheless, it was a disappointing result and not a good performance, but the team did battle and were at least equal to Villa until the home side made that crucial breakthrough.

I said some weeks ago that we will see what the manager brings to the table after a defeat. If a misstep turns into a slide, as it has with previous managers, then all bets are off.

We won't be relegated, we won't qualify for Europe, we won't win the League Cup because that trophy is beneath us, and we won't win the FA Cup.

We will be Everton. Fair enough, could we really cope with the excitement of being exciting?

We have to smile don't we, it's all we can do on days like today.

Everton just don't get the rub of the green with refs like Man Utd and Liverpool do. As I mentioned earlier I was hoping that Benitez could get a tune out of Iwobi; well, it is clear he cannot. I cannot believe Rodriguez is not 100% better than Iwobi.

What am I missing? Given the match stats and the shots we had, I believe, with a fit Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, the outcome of this game would have been totally different.

While the result and scoreline is not good, I don't feel the scoreline was a true reflection of the game. So come on, guys, it is not all doom and gloom just yet.

I thought we played well for an hour or so, without finishing off our good moves. They hadn't really threatened too much, but Digne fell asleep and was caught out by Cash, couldn't stop him; great finish, to be fair. Unlucky with the 2nd, Begovic stranded by the flick-on. Digne maybe not positioned properly but that was a hammer blow and we didn't react. We also had nothing on the bench to change the game.

As I'd feared, Rondon didn't really have an hour in him. The minutes will do him good as he'll be needed.

Key decision was VAR not seeing the clear pullback on Gray, which may have been a red card situation.

Not great but only 1 game, so to regroup and cross our fingers that Coleman, Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison are back soon. Unfortunately they are missed because our cover is more so in central defence and midfield.

In fairness to Benitez, who did he have on the bench that could effect the game? With such a poor, threadbare squad, anything more than a couple of injuries and we can't cope.

Long season ahead but at least it'll be nail-biting.

Rondon hasn't played for months, you could see him pacing himself from early in the game, but nearly a goal at the start of the game.

I'm not blaming Digne for the second goal, these things happen, but that's two really poor games on the run and no left-back to come in and give him a rest.

Let's hope they make a quick recovery from this defeat, although it's obvious to most that Benitez is playing with a very limited, in number, squad. Disappointed with the result but, with the players missing, we did quite well until those 9 mad minutes did us in.

Being without Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin concurrently is definitely a hammer blow, especially with Rondon clearly not match fit yet.

Marcel Brands continues to do an amazing job behind the scenes. But don't worry – there'll be a new ground along soon.

I thought Bailey did slaughter us to be fair. Godfrey on a yellow, auxillary right-back with no protection from Townsend. It was their game plan all day – just that Targett was less effective.

No-one has ever said that we have a strong squad but, with 4 regulars missing, Villa were not causing us a lot of problems. The second half, even Dean Smith thought we were on top, before they got their first goal, and it was just after that near miss from Gray.

Once again, poor refereeing gave us no help; I don't understand how Everton were not given a free kick on the edge of their area and the Villa player not booked when he grabbed hold of Gray with two hands and spun him around.

There was no way that we were not going to loose a game at sometime and one defeat is not going to determine our season. We should be looking at the 3 wins and a draw at the beginning, and acknowledge that we are starting to become better than last season, and listen to the manager who is aware of the problems and is trying to rectify them.

Villa had over £100M to spend after receiving transfer fees for their players, I don't think we had £5M.

Before jumping on the "Rafa and Brands are rubbish" bandwagon, ask yourself would we have performed better if we had the 4 missing regulars, and do you believe our squad would have been stronger if we had £100M to spend

James won't play for Everton again, if he can't even make up the numbers when we are short on the subs bench. Benitez rates Iwobi higher than James as a No 10.

Godfrey is not a right-back and, as far as Benitez is concerned, neither is Kenny.

Godfrey is playing despite looking unfit. Where does that leave Holgate?

Rondon is playing despite being unfit. Benitez does not trust a kid upfront.

Away from home, Doucouré and Allan need an extra pair of legs around them, especially after the hour mark.

Digne needs a rocket up him. No competition has him too relaxed.

Gordon is not a Super Hero – a Commissioner maybe... but not a superhero.

Even Benitez can't do magic all the time. Though he has made James disappear.

Gbamin is trying to out-do Delph.

Without our 1st XI on the pitch, we will struggle.

What happens at Finch Farm stays in Finch Farm.

James has to be part of the first-team squad due to these circumstances and if he is, he has to take full advantage and produce some of his magic for the team. The much-maligned player from the cold country is obviously a big miss too. What a time to be unable to recruit, due to FFP!

I couldnt agree more with your comments about Mina. I wonder what some people are watching. Once again, the "hard man" turned his back instead of closing down the space. Yet another goal conceded because he doesnt do his job – three goals in three games.

I trust we have heard the last of the "Mina and Keane are our best pairing" nonsense. They play. We get shredded... I thought lighthouses were supposed to prevent shipwrecks.

We needed to stay in that game, but defensively we just fell apart. Rafa has banished the wrong Colombian.

To hear a so-called top coach say James is behind a load of shite in the pecking order, ie Rondom, Iwobi... it's definatley personal.

What should Gbamin's nickname be? Comatose?

I think we missed Seamus more for his captaincy than anything. Digne captain? He was dire, and if truth be told, his occasional cross does not compensate for his wayward positioning and lazy complacency.

We know we haven't a top 6 side and any away game is going to be difficult; the result is disappointing but not a big surprise.

James will get to play when he shows he wants to get fit and wants to play. As it is, he can just mess around and still get paid, he's in the driving seat and knows it.

We did well for an hour. It was an open, enjoyable game, either team could have scored a goal at any time. As it was, Villa achieved it, then we scored an unfortunate own goal, game over.

Our options within the squad were exposed. The ostracism of Rodriguez is puzzling. The substitutions seemed quite random.

Rondon was a weak link for me though. I'm hoping he's just unfit, otherwise we're in deep trouble. I was expecting to see a bit of Ellis Simms, but it's possible he's not match-fit either after a long spell out.

The most disappointing thing is that, after such a great start, we're going to be missing Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison, Pickford and Coleman against Norwich and Man Utd as well as today.

Tricky times ahead.

One shot on target is a damning indictment for any professional team though and needs to be put right asap.

Maybe Godfrey wasn't match-fit because he was unable to match Ings, Bailey and one or two others on the attack, which is most unlike him.

Rondon is bargain-basement but might improve should we be able to resume creating chances, unlike today.

I was irritated by the regular inability of too many of our players to control and retain the ball under pressure. Hopefully this can be improved at the enigma that is Finch Farm.

Still, it didn't feel like a 3-0 walloping to me and it's early days for the manager. I suspect the squad will see a far more demanding week ahead of them!

James refuses to move so it's a Mexican standoff. Maybe he'll slope off in January. It'd be too cold on Merseyside by then anyway.

Where were Delph, Holgate, Rodriguez, Gbamin etc? I can only assume they all had injuries, because to not have any of them on the bench left us very short. The bench was a joke really.

Oh well. Onwards and upwards, starting on Tuesday against QPR. Let's hope we get some of the walking wounded back…

I'm now getting to the point where I'm believing Gbamin will never be seen in a starting eleven. We get fleeting glances then he's off with a tooth problem, and today not even mentioned in Rafa's prematch injury situation. Has anyone got a clue where Gbamin is?

Godfrey is not at the races, he's not a full-back, clearly can't force his way in to a centre-half position. He just looks like a rabbit caught in headlights, there's no spark in him. Where's his blistering place? Where's his fierce tackles? He looks as though he's been frozen out of the team and he's buggered if he's going to act as a makeweight in all back 4 positions.

Digne regularly gets skinned by fast-paced wingers or wing-backs; again today, Cash found him wanting. In fact, I thought we looked pedestrian certainly in centre midfield where Allan and Doucouré were often caught with the ball. Rondon is clearly 3-4 weeks away from fitness and will not be able to fill in for Calvert-Lewin.

I've actually been invited to Old Trafford in 2 weeks but, if we are still short of 3-4 key players, we will take another stuffing like in pre-season.

I don't!! If Benitez wants to perpetuate a personal feud, then he is making a massive mistake, and will quickly loose whatever support he may have garnered. Who would prefer Iwobi after today's insipid performance?

Good point, though, why are other match unfit players being preferred to James???

Without wishing to repeat a tired cliche: it's all small margins, and when you're only striking option is a fella plucked from the Chinese league, who is clearly not fit and not going to last 90 minutes, then, once you concede, you're shagged.

For what it's worth (obviously not much), I thought Begovic was pretty piss-poor after his incredible first-half save. Godfrey is a shadow of last season so far (long Covid effects?) and couldn't see a goal coming from anywhere. But then, I thought that at half-time on Monday too and we saw what happened.

Obviously the main take is we have a pathetic, threadbare squad. Our first XI is good, but take out 4 first team players and we are relegation material. When you see a double substitution of Davies and Kenny coming on and no recognised striker on the pitch... oh god!

A player amongst many Everton have been linked with, but there's loads of players we get linked with.

The lad took a gifted chance and fair play to him he took it.

Up to the goal, Everton looked to be gaining control but football is fine margins.

The depth of squad strength showed but any team missing x4 key players would feel the pinch.

As it stands Everton don't have a front line strike force and until Rondon gets fit, it's gonna be a struggle.

But now the test of character and a very tricky night game at the moody Loftus Road is next.

This is a big test for Everton, and the squad available for today and for Tuesday who are fit, must take this dose of reality and move on.

But the reality of the miss spent transfer windows, previous won't dissappear for a long time.

Other concerns at EFC are the poor starts respectively by the U18s and U23s.

But it's the first defeat and let's see the reaction on Tuesday and after Norwich. The manner of today's defeat was disappointing but, if, Pickford, Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin played today, I believe it would have been a different game.

Hearts and minds, but today without 4 players who give it their best, consistently, it was always a tough call.

Villa took their chances and Everton today were poor in front of goal.

Well, Iwobi has got 2 goals in his 60 games for us... he should be okay.

I had my evening all planned out until I saw Everton's line-up for tonight's game. I avoided all of the day's scores, was going to watch Everton take at least a point from Villa Park, then watch the re-runs of this afternoon's games until settling down for Match of the Day.

All plans wrecked as I watched the Giraffes on the BBC and now watching some long-winded Scandi drama before I decide to call it a day and have an early night. These sorts of Saturdays I dislike the most.

The only way it isn't going to be a long season is if we stay clear of injuries, and just like at Man Utd in pre-season, when you play without a striker (Rondon is clearly not fit enough), then it's never going to be easy for the group of players that we currently have.

Gray looked our only real threat, Townsend worked very hard, same for Doucouré, but the pitch was too big for Allan at times, and always will be when our two central defenders defend so deep.

Hopefully Godfrey over-covering keeps him away from playing full-back, because although he's got loads to learn, he's not going to learn it playing out of position, so let him make his mistakes with Everton playing on the front foot pushing 20 yards further up the pitch, and let him develop.

Where does it say it has to be in the penalty area? He could have been and probably was the last man, so there could be a "denial of a goal-scoring opportunity" element too. Red card? Possibly harsh as other defenders maybe could have covered.

Definitely a free-kick. A goal from there would have totally changed the game.

Two referees have hurt us badly this week. One ref allowed Burnley to kick Richarlison off the park midweek and today's tosser conveniently didn't see Gray being held back after he had turned the defender with the goal at his mercy, also the last man (I think). This was a gamechanger as Villa scored shortly after.

We had played well until then, creating chances and defending well. You know what a goal can do to a team's spirit and we got robbed of one.

Yes, we are going to struggle until we can get our Internationals fit and can sign a few more players. Rafa has this team fitter than I have seen for a long time and tactics have been good. I never expected us to get in the game at all today when I heard the line-up but we competed very well for an hour.

Rondon is clearly needing game time but looks a capable force when fit.

If anyone needs to take any blame for the squad position, then you have to look at the people responsible for player recruitement since we gained a pot of gold... then just gave it away!

We still have our great support. COYB.

I wasn't aware that VAR only looked at incidents inside the penalty area, surely that is an unsubstantiated claim from an earlier poster. What happens when someone is pulled back on the halfway line, but the official doesn't see it? Or a bad challenge happens just outside the area and the referee doesn't see it or give it?

We basically lost due to individual errors but those individual errors were of the schoolboy type. What the hell!?!. Absolute giveaway... why do we allow teams to win easily – it just makes the club look like amateurs.

Mind you, the decisions to not get a new right-back (even if only a back-up) and loaning out our back-up left-back are absolute negligence.

James is under constant scrutiny and not a Benitez favourite but, half-fit, he is infinitely better tham Iwobi. I don't care how well he looks in training, he has proved repeatedly that he isn't good enough.

Rondon was obviously lacking match fitness and should have been nothing more than a substitute. Gomes should have started alongside Allan and Doucourè as they controlled the second half against Burnley.

Disappointing performance by the team and manager.

We all knew that, once injuries started to occur, we would start to struggle. Rafa's challenge now is, faced by his recent predecessors, mustering a competitive match day squad from a collection of average players.

Fair comment on the whole performance today, including Benitez. He hasn't done much wrong to date, but his stand-off with James is ridiculous, demeaning, and risks his already fragile relationship with some of the fan base.

Benitez, just pick him on the bench, for fuck's sake, bring him on now and then, and maybe he has the last 30% of us on board.

At the moment, he is eroding any goodwill he is earning by being stubborn, childish and unprofessional in the treatment of James.

I wonder if Benitez actually watched our demolition of Liverpool last season at Anfield? Definitely not, because who was the best player on the pitch? Anthony Gordon? Ellis Simms? Jonjoe Kenny?

Err.... no; it was James Rodriguez.

Pickford is a big miss with his distribution; Begovic is poor in this regard.

Godfrey should be played at centre-back and Kenny at right-back. Digne is poor both defensively and with crossing and free-kicks and I cannot understand why Nkounkou was allowed to go on loan when we knew Small was going too.

Allan and Doucouré need a third player alongside them in the middle; once again, they were outnumbered and pushed back by the opposition.

It didn't quite come off for Townsend today though he tried. Rondon, as others have said, is clearly not fit yet and is not in the same class as Calvert-Lewin. Gray was very good and our best player by far.

With the lack of depth in the squad, we will have a few defeats like this and we have to hope that Rafa will settle on his best centre-back partnership and give them a chance to develop.

I'm not convinced by Gordon and hope that Simms will be given game time when fit as who knows – he might just be ready to score for the first team.

I have just secured my place on the coach and match ticket for Norwich – surely we will not be the first team from whom Norwich gets a point or more?? Surely not!!!!

Benitez was expecting James to travel, but James was concerned about an injury he has had for the past 3 years, so chose to sit this one out.

Nothing to do with Benitez not selecting the player; same old James, mystery injury, when dark nights and cold weather appear.

The sooner this guy is gone, the better.

Stealing a living and people still defending the guy.

Kean moving out on loan was always gonna bite us in the arse. This shit with James isn't helping. Kenny should have played from the start. So many issues led to this result.

Er... that's it.

We've done well when in losing positions this seasons but the second quick fire (somewhat unlucky) goal obviously took the steam out of our sails and gave voice to Villa Park.

A bad day at the office; keeping players fit and available will clearly be crucial this season but 10 points from 5 games and a fitter, hungrier looking team is still a decent start.

They bring on a pacey forward... we bring on a slow midfielder for a slowing forward. Not so much that Rondon was slowing, he's not too quick anyway, but it seemed our shape was changed and weakened and played into theirs. Our overall shape was, up to a point, working – we still looked likely to pinch one.

Yet again, we are the gift that keeps on giving, The Villa full-back, for fuck's sake, scores his first goal... a worldie with his 'wrong' foot(?).

Yet again, for reasons known only to himself, Keane is out in, for him, No-Man's Land and is done for pace, left standing, self-isolating, like the big lighthouse galoot he is.

Seems to me Rodriguez is playing silly buggers and is effectively on strike. All a bit – one for the oldies – LMF.

I actually thought it was a mistake choosing Rondon. If he's not fully fit (at least I hope he's not), he shouldn't have been asked to lead the line.

I don't agree that the manager was aiming to hold on to a point, I think he was looking to win the game and it remained that way until Villa scored those two quick goals.

He could have used Gray as a makeshift striker and had another midfielder on the pitch from the start. It may not have resulted in a better result or display but I'm not happy to have less than 100% fit players in the starting line-up and it seems that Dominic's desire to play at the start of the season despite carrying an injury has come back to bite us on the bum.

Regarding your comments on our Salomon, we just have to hope he eclipses the achievements, for us, of the legendary Mark Hughes – signed as he was right at the start of Kenwright's outright alleged ownership, when he boasted of his transfer skills, together with other such legends such as Nyarko and Stephen Hughes.

Here's hoping.

Iowbi was ineffective on the left wing, preferring to come inside onto his right foot, rather than taking on the right back and crossing with his left. Most of his play was in front of the Villa defence and few final-third passes were attempted. Townsend did better.

Both Godfrey and Digne provided few crosses and only Godfrey provided the overlap to attempt a cross but showed poor execution. He needs more game time.

Rodon looked good on his first two attacks, attacking the near post, but faded badly as the game went on. Villa were rarely challenged in defence and never stretched. Everton's attacking play being too narrow and easily defended as they played mostly in front of the defence.

Villa basically walked through Everton's midfield and were able to provide support to their attacking play. Defensively, Mina and Keane, who had exchanged positions, played well.

Everton were set up to come into the game in the last quarter as Villa tired, as they had done in their previous game against Chelsea. Benitez did have the subs to change the tactics in the final quarter, but two mistakes by Digne put paid to that and effectively lost the game. Everton lost their shape and organisation and flattered Villa with a final 3-0 scoreline.

Benitez is going to have to re-adjust his tactics and formation, which he would have done had he had players available for selection, as teams learn how to counter Everton's play. Lucky they have Norwich next, but they are going to work hard to get back on track and hopefully more players and therefore variations are available. Congested fixtures are not going to help with additional FA Cup and Carabao Cup games.

We are about to find out the extent work and effort have improved at Everton.

Given the injuries already within the squad and the game being scheduled for Tuesday, I wouldn't expect the manager to risk too many recognised first-team players for the match at QPR.

I think it will be a hit-and-hope selection with the manager not losing too much sleep if it goes south. Not what we want as fans but we all know why this manager was brought to the club to keep us in the top division and anything that might compromise that will be swerved. What a state we find ourselves in.

What are you implying with your 'games of chess' analogies Paul, have you heard something that we'd all like to know, please share if you have.

Don't we have a youngster in the B team who is better than freaking Iwobi!?

We all knew Digne couldn't defend, but now he can't cross either all of a sudden! His passing, corner-kicks and free-kicks have been really really poor. I guess that's what happens when there is no competition for his place.

Begovic should be our 3rd goalie! He wasn't even first choice in Bournemouth, for fuck's sake!

And Rondon, well, he is a poor man's Josh King!

But, based on what's happening, there's some consolidation of power and people, within Everton, as we know which has been published the last month in the press.

The lack of direction in terms of on-the-park progression, will, I'm sure take a toll, sooner than later.

But that's only my view.

Thanks for your reply. I'll take a guess of what you mean: Money has become more of a priority to those that run the club rather than the actual outcome of football matches?

Considering the weakened line-up, I thought we were doing okay up to the Gray incident but that was the turning point. It was right in front of the linesman, too, and makes you wonder exactly what their remit is.

Jonjoe Kenny must play if Coleman is injured; Godfrey may be a decent centre-back, or cover for Digne, but a right-back he isn't. Iwobi showed Benitez what we all knew: lots of huff and puff but absolutely no end product. Rondon looked way off the pace and was never really in the game. Gordon is nowhere near Premier League standard.

What an indictment of this club's management to have spent around £500M and, after just five games, we're already down to the bare bones with very little on the bench and few from the U23s who are even close.

It'll be interesting to see who's selected v QPR as there don't seem to be that many options available.

Unfortunately we're missing some of that quality right now. Lack of quality told.

We need players back for Norwich next week and that has to be a win. Because the fixture list turns at that point and we won't be able to rely on our players being more likely to be the ones who can produce the game winning moments.

That was borderline being a red card so what are these muppets upstairs and on the pitch being paid for?

I thought Gray had a decent game and a fit alert striker gets on the end of that lovely low cross he put in. Townsend did not do much and his end product was poor all game, including that awful wasted free-kick. One of the commentators said he did not score a goal in his last 33 appearances for Palace.

I have hoped that Iwobi could come good as I see a player in there somewhere but, when he's poor, he's a waste of space.

That back four of ours looked very shaky indeed and against a top team will be a nightmare for all of us. Rafa has to get two good full-backs from somewhere to replace both Seamus and Digne eventually but the centre-half situation makes me very nervous in every game, regardless of who we play.

Like some have already said on this thread, though, if Richarlison was on the pitch today, we may well have won that game because Villa were average.

Oh for a young player to come from nowhere and announce themselves to the Premier League. I really hoped Anthony Gordon might be that player but his first-team contributions thus far have been totally underwhelming. He looks weak, unfocused and almost disinterested – whereas Jacob Ramsey for Villa was strong, athletic and full of clever touches and running.

1) We were in the game for 60 minutes but, once Villa increased the intensity, we couldn't live with it.

2) 4-4-2 doesn't work away from home unless you have the players to do it. I thought it was evident after 30 mins that we needed an extra man in centre-midfield.

3) Our lack of cover at full-back was evident – Sam and Robert have raised this multiple times and it was evident again.

4) Rondon isn't match-fit!

5) Once we went a goal down, it is game up – we had no creativity on the bench and it was self-sabotage to omit James.

6) We have still had a decent start overall.

Couldn't fill the bench? Everton… isn't it?

Leave Benitez alone… look upwards if you want to see frauds.

You two saw it how I did. A rerun of the Burnley game in reverse. We looked the more dangerous first half. The first 15 minutes of the second half was a stalemate and then: Bam! 3-0. That's football.

In truth, despite all our spending, our squad is middle of the road and comparable with Villa's. They got the breaks; we didn't.

The positive for me was Gray. I hope he can keep it going. Iwobi? Still a training-ground player. Begovic? Competent but at this stage not capable of the Pickford worldie saves.

Despite being opposed to Rafa beforehand, at this point, I can't find fault in him. But, as others have said, Brands's record is a joke.

Up until then, Matty Cash, wearing an Alice band that Grealish had left in his locker, was given too much room, and allowed to score, albeit a cracking goal, and that signalled the opening of the floodgates. Up until that point, we had matched Villa, thwarted everything they had thrown at us, and could have had at least one goal ourselves with better finishing.

I must mention the referee, he's not getting off Scot free, yet another who had yellow-card or free-kick blindness, when one of our players were blatantly fouled almost right in his eyeliner.

Okay, our mini-run has come to an end before it really gathered any momentum. I just hope our absentees are back next match and we can fashion some sort of a win at QPR to build confidence back, and start another even better run off!

The giraffes were great though, weren't they?

Not looking forward to the walking football when our OAPs play the Man Utd OAP....!

Six weeks ago, it would've been: Bin Benitez and Keep Rodriguez. But, in the end, it's books and covers, speak as you find etc... except you can't find Rodriguez. So now, based on what I've seen (or not seen – as in hide nor hair of), it's bin Rodriguez – the only 'muscle concern' he has is he can't get off his arse – and Keep Benitez.

James. Have you ever fallen out with one of your friends or family? The longer it's left, unless you sit down with a cup of tea and say, "Look, let's sort this out," the harder it becomes. Then, it's a permanent rift; we've all seen it and possibly been there.

Rafa seems to be there now. He needs to bite the bullet and do what's best right now for EFC who employ him. The Colombian will be gone but he should be doing time on the pitch. This is just compounding previous bad management.

This is the first of the inevitable setbacks. It's been a very good start but here we are reminded that the players (especially the reinforcements) aren't very good. You can tinker about with formations and personnel and tactics but the real issue is that Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison were missing – and we tried and failed to buy a new right back with a very limited budget. Playing our version of Mesut Ozil isn't the answer if he isn't fit or doesn't care.

I've not read through the posts, so these are just my thoughts from watching it in a London pub. As is normal, I don't watch Match of the Day when we lose, so this is pure reflection.

Strange match. A 3-0 thumping was harsh in reflection as, for most part, if you were a neutral, it was a very scrappy but entertaining game between two evenly matched teams in my view.

If Gray's shot curls an inch or two more inside prior to their first goal, it's a different game. That's football, I guess. And I'd be interested in the views on the penalty shout.

Context. We were pretty much missing half of a first starting 11. Pickford (although the keeper done well), Coleman, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin and yes, Sigurdsson & Rodriguez. 5 players who could have made a difference against that Villa side.

But, it exposes what I've been banging on about (amongst other things) for some time. Depth of squad. Forget who the manager is or was. Once you scratch the surface, our squad is thin and the second string aren't good enough. I actually don't care who the manager is, we need more better players.

The only concerning thing yesterday was the reaction to going behind, which in fairness, we haven't done badly with this season so far. The players seemed shell-shocked.

You win some, you lose some. QPR Tuesday and Norwich Saturday. As I travel back to London next Sunday morning, we'll be in the next round of the League Cup and on 13 points.

With Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin out for a few weeks, let's not cut off our nose to spite our face. If he can replicate his 6 goals and 4 assists from last season, it might be useful, given that it beat the rest of the midfield combined (excepting the Nameless One).

I thought we, in the main, controlled them in the first 65 minutes. However, it's a bit long to keep conceding possession and space to a team who are not that crash hot as an attacking force.

Gray and Townsend ramped up the pace and on 66 minutes their possession and Godfrey's lack of pace undid all that.

The second goal was slapstick. Was the goalie's hands in exactly the right place for an easy catch until Digne nicked it off him? Keeper's ball! How hard is that in any language?

The third, well more slapstick. Bailey did well but really, it was a training ground exercise.
Were we having a team conference around the dugout? And that was it. Heads didn't go down but it was never recoverable.

Agree. Yesterday reminded us how important Calvert-Lewin and Ritchie are (and that we still don't have an adequate replacement for Seamus either).

After a good start, we should expect a difficult few games ahead, eg, Man Utd and West Ham.

If things are so bad that we cannot even fill the bench, I wondered if there are any out-of-contract players floating around that we might recruit on a short-term basis? I noticed that Besic returned to Hungary last week but Oumar Niasse is still available!

Perhaps the TW posters who keep track of these things might have suggestions...???

In the second half, as the game wore on, we were the team that looked weaker mentally, losing focus and concentration. Villa had more energy and more intent to have a go and attack.

Losing Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin, Captain Coleman, Pickford was a step too far when the heat was turned up. The enforced changes weakened us too much, we couldn't get any control on the game.

The right-back situation has bitten us on the ass big time. Godfrey – a good centre-back prospect – isn't a right-back; he seemed to function better as a left-back when Digne was out than on the other flank. I thought Holgate was marginally better there last season, who is also not a natural; maybe we should just stick with Jonjoe Kenny, who is.

Iwobi, for me, disappoints again. He often gets caught in no-man's land and looks lost. I'm not singling him out but he just doesn't have enough offensively or defensively to warrant inclusion as a starter.

Bergovic is an okay back-up, but just okay.

Rondon isn't match-fit yet, would Calvert-Lewin better anticipated and have poked home that Gray cross? He looked knackered after 50 minutes, one long ball game down between him and Mings near the half-way line and Rondon didn't even jump or challenge Mings to put him off balance, it wound me up. He needs more training and game time to make more of an impact. The manager has to tell him to give more.

Lack of strength in depth in the squad and the perennial failure in signing a right-back is going to be a continuing challenge for Benitez. I think though he will have learned a lot from this game and has the acumen to tighten us up and get back on the right track. It's what good managers do.

The manager has managed to put together a decent XI that perform to the sum of the parts. But a couple of injuries and it shows that the squad is nowhere near sustaining a Top 4 push.

Disappointed by the individual mistakes of Digne and Godfrey, whilst I can't but think Begovic should have done better for the goals.

A good start from Rafa, but he's a lot to do in turning around Moshiri's botched mistakes.

For their third goal, if you chop the pitch into three equal rectangles and then chop the middle rectangle into three, I'm pretty certain that seven Everton players were in the top third (as you look at it) when the Villa player made his long cross to Bailey. The other three Everton players were presumably up front as was their role. Scandalous.

First, on the positive, I think Demarai Gray is very exciting to watch and it's nice to see someone with pace and his ability running at the opposition; defenders hate playing against people like Demarai.

I think for a while now Digne has been found wanting defensively and yesterday was another case of him being outpaced, which led to their opening goal, which changed the game.

I posted before the game yesterday that I didn't think Godfrey was a centre-back in the making; after watching his poor positional play yesterday, it seems like he has a lot to learn. This is the 2nd game in a row that Benitez has made him the first substitution, so obviously the manager isn't happy with his performances.

Never a good sign to see your main striker with his socks rolled down to his ankles 5 minutes into the 2nd half. Rondon clearly not fit but, given the injuries, I guess Benitez didn't have many options. Seems that none of the injured will be fit for the QPR game or the Norwich game so with a threadbare squad he may have a lot of juggling to do between these 2 games.

I know some posters thought Benitez had improved Iwobi; well... not on yesterday's showing. He is still a player who will always take the easy option, a player with no heart. I read last week that, when asked, most of the first team squad said Iwobi was the most talented; I think he is like the racehorse that is brilliant at home on the gallops but when you take him to the racecourse he flops.

I am not a fan of Benitez but he is seeing why most of this group got the previous managers sacked or they left. You just don't know what you are going to get from any of these players from one minute to another; they must be the most inconsistent group of players you could have the misfortune to manage.

When they are winning and playing like they did in that 15-minute spell against Burnley, you think "I've got a decent squad here" but, as the last half hour against Villa and you are thinking, apart from Gray, "How do I get this group winning games with Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin?"

R.I.P Jimmy Greaves...Football LEGEND.

Dammed if you do, dammed if you don't. Sit back to "protect" the 2 - 0 scoreline in a Sam Allardyce style damage limitation exercise or get up the pitch to try and salvage something but risk exposing yourself further??

Personally, I've always been of the thought process that if you're going to lose, it doesn't matter whether it's 1 - 0 or 4 - 0. But go and try and get something and get back in the game. We make that 2 - 1 with 15 minutes to go plus additional time, it's a different game.

The only goal I picked fault with was the 2nd (Digne own goal). Seemed to be miscommunication and also lack of commitment. Firstly Digne. If you're going for that, do so with commitment and desire and put that our for a throw. Secondly, the Keeper. Don't stand waiting for it to arrive in your hands. Come to meet it and if necessary, clear the Villa player and Digne out of the way in the process. I'm firmly in the defender's union but I think both had a lapse of concentration with that one.

Again, I'll caveat that I've not watched anything back, so this is just going off gut instinct.

Injuries are what happen in competitive sport; every team suffers them. Of course the quality of your second string is important but it is also important that you get your selections right. It is important that your regular first-team players keep the ship steady and your fringe players step up... None of that happened yesterday.

Begovic, Godfrey, Mina, Keane and Digne all defended badly. Allan does what he so often does when Mina and Keane defend so deep. He disappeared up his own arse.

This was not the worst performance, but let's not make lame-arsed excuses, blaiming the referee or injuries. We lost yesterday because we deserved to.

Learn and move on... or bleat and learn nothing.

We had 4 regular players missing yesterday, Pickford, Coleman, Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin. As I have said, take out Liverpool's Keeper, right-back, left-winger and central striker and expect them to play well.

Yes it's a reality of football, I get that, but having half of your team out makes a difference when you don't have sufficient back-up.

To your point, though, and that's our problem, once we scratch the surface, those waiting to step in are not even close to that standard.

I think the manager did a good job to get a tune out of them for just over an hour. On paper, beaten 3-0, which ultimately is all that matters. But, considering the circumstances and stage of the season, I'm not overly concerned. Shit happens, the wife is gloating, but come Tuesday, I'll hopefully be happy again as I leave Loftus Road.

Your point about defending deep and it affecting our midfield is bang on. I'm bored of listening to myself talk about that. I've been on about it since the Burnley away match last season. But apparently a centre-back wasn't a priority.

Then Digne lost his man and Cash took it well. Then Digne scored an unfortunate og (like Bailey's at Anfield 1981?). Then we lost our shape & discipline. I got the impression Rafa was having a look at some players once it was 3-0.

Fine margins. Stuff that can happen regardless of injuries. Rondon and Godfrey will only get match fit with game time. James will always need time to get fit – I suspect once that happens, he'll be an impact sub till he leaves.

Disappointing, but let's learn and move on. And I'm looking forward to the next game these days – been a long time since I've thought that.

The fact remains that this was no great Villa side. We were slightly the better for an hour and we only fell apart when the individual errors – mainly made by first-team regulars – started to kick in.

Sorry Mate. I'm going with the reason we lost. I've had a bellyfull of excuses down the years.... You'd think we were the only team ever to get injuries.

We were missing four internationals, two of them our front men. Godfrey is a centre-back and not match-fit, and Rondon is not match-fit either.

We were depleted... so that's what you call 'excuses'?

I totally disagree.

I agree with the comments on individual errors with Digne one of them, also their second goal from Digne's head, and maybe someone who has a better view of it can tell. Begovic was right behind Digne jumping up but his hands seemed lower than Digne's head where they should have been above it.

I agree every team has injuries as we are reminded of it every week by the red teary-eyed pundits, but 4 of your regular starters is not a usual thing, and watching Villa against Chelsea last week, they are a pretty good side.

Also, their corners, sweet as. Reminded me of Andy Hinchcliffe, hit with accuracy and pace. You can make a cup of tea before Digne's dead ball kick hits someone's head.

Lastly, hopefully Simms is ready to go because our man Rondon needs several bowls of Shreaded Wheat to get him up to speed. The Titanic and turning and Rondon.

Now... Jonjoe Kenny and James... naah, fuck it.

I'd be surprised if we did so, however. The club knows that realistically we'll finish 8th ish this season and, in the grand scheme of things Serge Aurier won't change that.

Also, getting Aurier on a 2-year deal may reduce our chance of getting Patterson from Rangers who we still seem keen on.

As fans we tend to see no further than the present season. The club, if it's doing things right, should be looking 3 to 5 years ahead.

It's every player's responsibility in the squad to step up on the pitch. Injuries happen but it's the response of those not starting every week to stake their claim. If they don't do it or can't do it, why do we employ them?

This should not detract from the fact that we had a good start. I hope we have a manager that can now see the more obvious weaknesses in the team, along with the lack of depth. It is very disappointing to come down to earth.

Personally, I think it is best to try to take each game individually and enjoy the wins when they come. It would be great to stay in the Top 4 for the whole season but, with the squad we have, it may be unrealistic.

I'm reluctant to have a go at Rafa because his tactics and results have come as a very pleasant surprise to me... but he got several things wrong yesterday.

First of all, Godfrey at right-back simply shouldn't have happened. And if James cannot play because he is unfit... then we have to assume he thought Rondon was fit. Mina and Kean always play too deep... how much evidence do we need of that?

Digne has had his head up his arse all season, but Cash did not leave him and Keane trailing in his wake because Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin were injured. Mina did not turn his back on him because Pickford wasn't playing. Godfrey didn't chase Bailey too late because Coleman was injured. It was because he was in a coma and saw the danger too late.

If we ignore the numerous schoolboy errors (from first-team regulars) to focus on the fact that we have a few missing, we are offering the players a ready-made excuse for really poor play. We are offering the manager a ready-made excuse for a really bad day at the office. We are in effect telling them that, under the circumstances, it's okay to play really badly... it's not. There are no circumstances under which these lapses can be deemed acceptable.

I'm still hoping against hope that this manager has us challenging for Top 6. I still have hopes that he may take us on a worthwhile cup run, but I am not impressed with the lame-arsed excuse that James didn't travel because of a "muscle injury". Especially after spelling it out that he wouldn't be playing.

I hope Mr Benitez does not fall into the same trap as his predecessors by treating us all as if we were born yesterday.

While I agree that every team suffers loss of players to injury etc, losing four plyers is a huge setback. I listened to the match via TalkSport and they were of the opinion that Everton were worthy of being level, until the 9-minute relapse. In fairness to the players who have been severely criticised – namely, Ben Godfrey, Lucas Digne, and Asmir Begovic – these things happen.

It appears to me that it's alright for opponents to make mistakes but, if the team someone supports does likewise, there is the inevitable inquest.

I have no doubt that the Burnley equivalent of ToffeeWeb would have been chock-full of complaints matching those of some Everton fans.

Hoping to see you at The Bramley Moore get-together next Saturday.

So Digne is going to have to keep fit all season, without a rest, or we do what we do at right back and slot someone in there out of position.

Whoever thought loaning Nkounkou out, was a good idea, needs to give their head a wobble.

1) The game was quite equally contested for 65 mins. They have more possession, but possession doesn't mean too much these days and we had our chances.

2) Rondon did not play poorly. His touch from Godfrey's cross at 3:30mins was nicely setup for a shot. Just the defender was aware and quick enough to tackle. He's got a second chance that Gray set him up. Right before he got there the defender checked him (good defending) so he wasn't got a good momentum to reach the pacey cross. There were a few times he held up the ball well and bring others into play. As a backup and a freebie, I am happy with what I've seen. With more time to gel and better match fitness, he will be very useful.

3) It's just my theory. With four games played and won 3 and drew 1, Rafa knows he's got some buffer to test something out. He's changed things a bit. Let Richy and Piggy to "rest" and let other players have a go (Begovic and Rondon). Also letting Davies, JJK, Gomes to have some game time and see what they can do when the game was beyond chasing.

From team defending perspective, I think the team did ok most of the time. I am disappointed with Digne. I've been saying his set-piece / crossing ability is over-rated when comparing with other specialists in the game. He's about work rate and determination.

I hate seeing Everton lose but I wasn't too despondent on Saturday. I thought we did alright and showed a bit more than some of the insipid performances last season. Villa are a good side and have invested the Grealish money wisely. Rafa can work on the defensive mistakes.

The key is whether we can beat QPR and Norwich. If we falter in those games then we're back to crisis-Everton, with a visit to Old Trafford looming. We are only ever 2 bad results away from doom and gloom.

But we know very well what usually happens when a team or player has a bad streak to break – Everton usually oblige. Hopefully Rafa can get them fired up again and we bounce back with a resounding win.