JAKARTA - Aston Villa beat Everton 2-1 at Goodison Park Stadium, Liverpool, in the 34th Premier League match which took place on Saturday 1 May local time (Sunday morning WIB).
Anwar El Ghazi locked Villa's win after their lead through Ollie Watkins was rewarded by Everton through Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Villa's first win in four matches rekindled their hopes of winning a European qualifying ticket.
Dean Smith's team moved up to ninth in the standings with a collection of 48 points, four points behind Everton and only five points from Tottenham Hotspur in seventh place, according to the official Premier League website, quoted by Antara.
Villa opened up the lead over the hosts in the 13th minute when Mason Holgate blunder allowed Watkins to grab the ball and ended with a powerful shot that goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was unable to stop.
Unfortunately the lead did not last long because six minutes later Calvert-Lewin stood guard at the far post area to greet Lucas Digne's corner with a sharp header burying the ball into Villa's goal.
Villa almost secured the advantage in the 31st minute if Watkins' header was not countered by Pickford and El Ghazi's gag ball did not hit the crossbar.
Six minutes later, another chance was created by Ross Barkley who was close to scoring for his former team, unfortunately his shot which Pickford could not reach hit the post.
The 1-1 score lasted until halftime and Villa appeared to dominate the game in the second half.
Everton trying to get out of the pressure almost turned their lead in the 75th minute but Gylfi Sigurdsson's shot slammed into the arm of keeper Emiliano Martinez. If the ball goes into the net, the goal will be disallowed because Seamus Coleman has already been convicted of violating El Ghazi in the process of attack.
Five minutes later, Villa finally restored their lead as El Ghazi coolly finished Bertrand Traore's cross with a curling shot that sank into the far post area.
Villa's superiority lasted until disbandment and made Everton's hopes of going to Europe threatened to evaporate because Carlo Ancelotti's team had never won in their last four home games.
Furthermore, the two teams will play next Sunday where Villa host Manchester United at Villa Park, while Everton visit the London Olympic Stadium to face West Ham United.
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