Ollie Watkins on target as Aston Villa ruin Moyes' Everton homecoming | first division

The second arrival of David Moyes confirmed that the new Everton coach does not work miracles. They could use one. Everton failed to score for the ninth time in 11 first division games while Aston Villa, slowly regaining their form, ended the hopes of a new manager at Goodison Park.

Ollie Watkins scored the only goal in a close game, but Unai Emery's team deserved to win given their assured defensive performance and quality in the final third. It is a quality Everton big miss. Dominic Calvert-Lewin summed up the home side's shortcomings by squandering a glorious chance to equalize in the 93rd minute.

Unless Moyes can cajole Calvert-Lewin and the forwards he inherited from Sean Dyche to improve, or conjure up solutions in the transfer market, Everton's Premier League status will remain in jeopardy. Villa, whose six-year rise from the Championship to Champions League qualification puts Everton's decline in brutal perspective, continues to look in the opposite direction.

“I think it's there for everyone to see,” Moyes said of Everton's offensive shortcomings. “I can't make all that change after a day or so, I just can't do it. It's a big challenge right now.

“Sean has brought in a great group with his attitude and commitment, but we desperately need to add quality in certain areas to create goals and finish them.”

With Armando Broja out for 10 to 12 weeks with an ankle ligament injury, the on-loan striker could return to Chelsea to free up space for a different loan option.

Calvert-Lewin for Broja was the only change from Everton's last league appearance at Goodison Park. The formation was also the same as under Dyche, although the defense was not as deep for the new coach, who received a great reception when he was introduced to the crowd before kick-off.

Villa ignored the outside commotion and could have ruined Moyes' homecoming on 17 minutes. Amadou Onana, who Everton sold to Villa last summer to improve their position under profit and sustainability rules, came close to the visitors' first attack with a shot that deflected off James Tarkowski and went just wide. Jordan Pickford made an excellent save in the resulting corner, deflecting a Morgan Rogers shot that appeared to curve towards the far post.

The Everton goalkeeper was then caught short by a poor back pass from Ashley Young straight to Watkins. The winning goal had a clear view of Pickford's goal as he ran, but the goalkeeper was caught out of position but shot wide. Boubacar Kamara also tested Pickford with a low shot and Jacob Ramsey missed a clear opening in first-half stoppage time, sending a free-kick wide from 12 yards and Emery apoplectic on the touchline.

Moyes was receiving a crash course in Everton's vulnerabilities. He had every reason to doubt Dyche's claim that he left “the team in good shape”. Dyche made the comment in a stylish statement via the League Managers' Association on Wednesday, emphasizing his pride in leading Everton through an extraordinarily difficult period, but also admitting: “The time has come right for me to leave the club.” .

Everton recovered from the early chaos and, relentlessly pressuring Villa, created three decent chances to take the lead from open play in the first half. Dyche won't be surprised if none were taken.

Calvert-Lewin, instructed by Moyes to “put on his scoring boots” after having scored just twice all season, controlled a good ball from Vitalii Mykolenko behind Ezri Konsa and fired wide of Emiliano Martínez's far post. Abdoulaye Doucouré directed another delivery from the Everton left back straight at the Villa goalkeeper from 12 yards. Calvert-Lewin did beat Martínez when he was found in front of goal by a delicate chip from Jack Harrison. But the off-balance shot lacked power and Kamara was perfectly positioned to clear it off the line.

Villa was the most serene and confident team. A loose pass just inside the Villa half from Jarrad Branthwaite was all the visitors needed to punish their hosts. Branthwaite won possession and then gave it away instantly with a strong touch to Rogers. The Villa striker slotted a perfectly weighted ball behind Tarkowski into the path of Watkins, who beat Pickford with a convincing finish.

Everton failed to get a shot on target in the second half until Orel Mangala's speculative attempt in the 92nd minute. Seconds later, Calvert-Lewin should have done much with an inviting cross from Jesper Lindstrøm, but he ducked from close range. Villa's first clean sheet away from home in the league this season was a sure thing.

“We've started the year fantastic,” Emery said. “I focused a lot on this match because it was important for us to gain some confidence and find some consistency. “It is an important victory.”