Aston Villa Beats Everton for First Win Since Promotion

Aston Villa beat Everton 2-0 on goals from Wesley Moraes and Anwar El Ghazi.

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) – Aston Villa earned its first win since promotion back to the English Premier League by beating Everton 2-0 thanks to a first-half goal by offseason signing Wesley Moraes and a late strike by substitute Anwar El Ghazi on Friday.

Wesley, a Brazilian striker who joined from Belgian side Club Brugge, timed his run perfectly to latch onto a pass from Jota and finish low into the far corner in the 21st minute.

It was the first goal Everton has conceded this season - after a 0-0 at Crystal Palace and a 1-0 home win over Watford - and the visitor couldn't respond.

Wesley lifts the roof off of Villa Park! pic.twitter.com/IJ6AqtS2pe

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 23, 2019

It came closest to an equalizer when Alex Iwobi, on as a second-half substitute for his debut following a move from Arsenal, drilled a low, left-footed shot against the post. Another Everton sub, Theo Walcott, sidefooted over from close range near the end.

With virtually the last kick of the game, John McGinn led a counterattack by Villa and slipped the ball forward to El Ghazi, who skipped past Andre Gomes and slotted the ball underneath goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

🚨Double Nutmeg alert 🚨 pic.twitter.com/EQ882mGtMD

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 23, 2019

Villa, back in the Premier League after a three-year absence, opened the season with losses to Tottenham and Bournemouth.