David Moyes says he is ‘already burnt out’ looking to fix Everton after a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa in his first game back.
Moyes’ second reign in charge of the club got off to a bad start, Ollie Watkins’ ninth Premier League goal of the season did the damage.
Everton stay 16th just a point outside the relegation zone, and now without a win in six games, while for Villa, it’s their first win away from home since the 19th of October 2024.
Everton manager David Moyes, speaking to Match of the Day: “You can definitely see over the years that the financial situation has played its part on the pitch and that’s the outcome. All the supporters are aware of that.
“There was very little in the game, they had a couple of chances which we were fortunate with. We needed a better control of the game, a better level of possession. We didn’t deliver at set pieces and we had six or seven corners and a good chance at the end. The game was really tight, just a slight lax allowed them to score.
“Obviously it’s been a bit of a whirlwind. Sean Dyche left a group of players that have great character and a great attitude, I’m really pleased to take over that. What I need to do is add quality and find a way of getting results but you can’t change the whole thing around straight away.
“Tonight we were the same as Aston Villa. The one at the end [for Dominic Calvert-Lewin] was a chance and Jesper [Lindstrom] should’ve scored with his header as well but you need those moments to go for you.”
On the need to strengthen in the transfer window: “I think it’s really important if we can add some of that quality and give the players a little lift as well. The crowd were good but I can sense them saying ‘we’ve seen a lot of this before, we need to see something else’.”
He added when speaking in the press conference: “I thought the crowd were great and I was really thankful for my reception but I am keeping my head down because I don’t want to be at a team near the bottom of the league and I have lost.
“At the moment I have to find a way for the team to get a result. I’ve only been here a couple of days and I’m nearly burnt out looking at how we can score more goals and how we can get players who can do that.
“With the squad we have, everybody is saying ‘How are you going to find that?’
“If we get someone different that’s OK but we have to find ways within the squad, we have to make goals, score goals and improve our attacking play.
“They are not there trying not to play well. Maybe they are just needing someone to give them a lift and a little bit of quality to make the difference and we are just lacking that at the moment.”
“I do know we have still got a bit to do (on PSR) but we need to act in some way if we can,” he added.
“But in the same breath, if it is not going to improve it, the truth is if it’s not going to make the team better, there is no point wasting your money.
“So we have to try to get that option of someone who is better than what we have got.”
David Moyes reacts to our narrow defeat against Aston Villa. pic.twitter.com/XUOhFh7rp0
— Everton (@Everton) January 15, 2025
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, speaking to Match of the Day: “Very happy. A tough match. We played 90 minutes and competed very well.
“We had some clear chances in the first half and we tried to push and take even more control in the second but we couldn’t, but we scored.
“This victory is very important. We have started the year winning at home, in the Premier League and in the FA Cup. Away, we were in a bad spell and had to break it.”
On David Moyes’ job at Everton: “It will take time to play in their style, but the players were the same players that we expected. To get three points is very difficult and we’re very happy.”
Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, speaking to Premier League Productions, said: “It’s a big win. We knew beforehand we had to win and get through this drought away from home. It’s such a tough place to come, and we were scraping in the second half but those wins are sweeter than the ones where you win comfortably.
“My job is to provide and Ollie [Watkins] movement is so good. He is so good at holding the ball up in the channels and taking the pressure off.
“We defended the box really well. We had to be strong and resolute and we were outstanding defensively. We’ve got three wins in the new year and we will keep pushing on.”
Fans gave their reaction as David Moyes says he is ‘already burnt out’ while looking to fix Everton after defeat to Aston Villa in his first game back…
@FollowEverton: Admitting he’s embarrassed by the league position.
@Muchy1878: This group of players have been asked to play football without the ball for the past 2 years, this isn’t going to be an overnight success. They key passes and chance creation will improve when the confidence returns. Just got to stay patient and get behind them
@therealnoz: He’s right. The lack of quality footballers in this team couldn’t have been more obvious tonight. You’d struggle to see a worse right hand side of a team than ours that in that first half. Another team beats us without having to play well themselves. It’s a massive job he’s got!
@gibbo09: Was better than we’ve had. Not great but better. Positive first sub, we all know we haven’t got the quality but thought the effort was better.
@MeerdsBeards: Knows we need key passes, crosses, and a goal scorer. Now go get them. A fullback or 2 to do the crosses, a midfielder and a 10 for key passes, and a striker that can finish.
@PELee1953: We gave the ball away looking for an overload on the left. They scored. Similar situations have occurred all through the season. Moyes spoke differently but he said the same as Dyche. We’ll stay up. We would do so if Dyche was retained. It won’t be any prettier with Moyes.
@nubster09: There was a lot more fight. The Dyche era has crippled the confidence of some good players. It’ll come back.
@bubjeeps: Most disjointed squad in 50 years, shafted by psr, selling, swapping loaning begging.. To look at figures that Everton only premier club to make balance profit on players and wages in and out last 5 year yet charged twice tells a story we’ve been shafted..
@michael53543309: Nothing on Moyes tonight. Team/Squad simply not good enough. No attacking threat in the slightest. NDiaye needs to be the 10, a winger being brought in is imperative and a more forward thinking LB. He’ll get us ticking in the next few weeks but additions are needed to do it.
@MrEverton1878: More sessions and hopefully Garner back and Iroebugnam soon, but get into that market now, we passed it better tonight but they are so bereft off confidence, still things to work on from it, a silly mistake and 2 sitters really and its a different story. Onto Sunday. UTFT 💙
@smc_1878: Can see in his face that he knows these players are not up to standard. We need an injection of creativity. 4 players needed this window
@MaisOuiMaisOui_: “ I can see exactly wha I have got “ great words, good to know he sees their shite. Bin majority, can’t wait. 🤬💩
You must be logged in to post a comment Login