Anjishnu Roy 20/01/2026 2comments  |  Jump to last

Thierno Barry believes Everton “played with heart” against Aston Villa to secure a fantastic 1-0 win at Villa Park.

The French striker scored his first winner for the club just before the hour-mark, chipping Emiliano Martinez at his near post. It was Barry’s third goal in the last four league matches as the summer signing is starting to pick up a scoring streak after a slow start to life in a royal blue shirt.

"I saw Martinez coming out fast and I said in my head, 'Okay, I need to try the chip', and it went in, so it makes me very happy,” Barry said after the game.

"It's the first time [I've scored a winner] this season. I'm very happy to score again, I'm always preparing to score and for it to give us the win, I'm very happy.

"I think it's an important moment. The week before we didn't do good, so we wanted to give an answer, a good answer, to that performance.

"We played with heart – and that's why we won."

Barry scored twice against Nottingham Forest this season and also scored in the 4-2 loss against Brentford before his winner against Unai Emery’s high-flying Villa side. The summer signing was criticised after a poor penalty in the Toffees’ FA Cup loss to Sunderland in the shootout.

Despite the disappointment of missing his penalty, the 23-year-old ended up giving the 3,000 travelling Evertonians a reason to sing his name in celebration after the win at Villa Park.

"I think [the fans singing my name] is a good thing for me," said Barry. "The last game I didn't score my penalty and I felt very bad for this because it's only the second-ever penalty I've missed in my career. 

"When I came today, in my head, I knew I had to play well for the fans. I played for them, and I'm very happy to score, which helps put the previous game in the past.

"I don't know about the statistics but always when I go to the pitch, I'm wanting to score goals."

 

Reader Comments (2)

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Ajay Gopal
1 Posted 20/01/2026 at 15:27:55
Barry played really well last weekend. He won almost every header, which was reminiscent of Calvert-Lewin in his best games. And he worked really hard all game, and his finish was of a striker with confidence. I feel really happy for him after the troubles he had initially. Hopefully he can keep his goal scoring run going. I would be delighted if he were to end the season with a double digit tally. That would a very decent return for a player coming into the PL in his 1st season.
Mick O\'Malley
2 Posted 20/01/2026 at 15:42:24
Ajay agreed, it's his first season in the PL, theres going to be ups and downs, games where he he is less.effective but I've been behind the lad since he came, I was absolutely delighted he scored the winner and what a finish it was, as you say he won plenty in the air, brought others into the game laying the ball off, he pressed, chased and battled, he needs to bulk up a bit, get stronger, we'll just have to be a bit patient with him, one things for sure he's a far better player than Beto, come on lad prove your doubters wrong

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