Aston Villa stand firm to take the points against Everton

Steven Gerrard got the better of his old England team-mate Frank Lampard as Aston Villa defeated Everton 2-1 for their first victory of the new Premier League season.

Ings found the net in the 31st minute at Villa Park and substitute Emiliano Buendia looked to have sealed the points when he claimed a deserved second four minutes from time.

Everton gave a debut to new defensive signing Conor Coady but had looked toothless in attack until their new recruit Amadou Onana forced an own goal from Lucas Digne a minute later and left Villa hanging on.

Gerrard found himself facing uncomfortable questions after an opening defeat by Bournemouth last weekend but Tyrone Mings, stripped of the captaincy and then left on the bench, returned to a great reception and this result will provide a shot of optimism at Villa Park.

Having narrowly avoided relegation last season, Everton have now lost their opening two games, although their finish to the game was at least something to hold onto.

Villa responded to a noisy welcome from their fans with a high tempo start but they were unable to test Jordan Pickford.

Coady, signed on loan from Wolves this week, was straight into the action organising his new defensive partners and Everton withstood the early barrage, helped by referee Michael Oliver waving away penalty appeals after Vitalii Mykolenko grabbed hold of Matty Cash's shirt.

Oliver was similarly unmoved when Gordon went down holding his face after a hand-off from Mings.

Gordon did his best as a makeshift centre-forward but Everton's need for reinforcements up front was all too evident.

They would have had a decent opening had Dwight McNeil not overhit a simple pass to Demarai Gray, and the visitors thought they had taken the lead in the 24th