Aston Villa 1, Everton FC 0: Blues still searching for first Premier League win of season

EVERTON are still looking for their first league win of the season after a second-half onslaught failed to prevent defeat at Aston Villa.Luke Young scored his first goal for nearly two years to boost caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald's chances of becoming Martin O'Neill's successor.The former England defender, who rejected a move to Liverpool earlier this month, dealt a blow to the other side of Merseyside with his ninth-minute winner.It was Villa's second league win under MacDonald as they bounced back from their Europa League exit at the hands of Rapid Vienna. Villa had leaked nine goals in their previous two matches, include a 6-0 mauling by Newcastle at St James' Park.But they managed to hold on for a clean sheet despite being on the defensive for lengthy periods.Everton dominated for lengthy spells in terms of possession with Mikel Arteta pulling the strings in the middle of the park.But they lacked a cutting edge until Louis Saha was brought on early in the second period.It means Everton are still searching for their first win of the campaign and have collected only one point from a possible nine.Ashley Young posed the biggest threat for Villa while Nigel Reo-Coker - a late replacement for Stephen Ireland after he was injured in the warm-up - made his presence felt in midfield.The visitors, searching for their first league win of the campaign, started the brighter of the two teams.But after nine minutes Villa took the lead through Luke Young's second goal for the club since his move from Middlesbrough in the summer of 2008.John Carew headed the ball into the path of Ashley Young who held the ball up before releasing Luke Young. He kept his nerve before driving a left-footed shot wide of Tim Howard.Everton tried to retaliate and Dunne was booked for body checking Jermaine Beckford 25 yards from the Villa goal.Arteta curled the free-kick over the defensive wall although Brad Friedel made a comfortable enough save.

Source: Liverpool_Echo