Villa claim 2-1 win over Everton

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Danny Ings and Emiliano Buendia scored to kick off Aston Villa's Premier League campaign with victory over Everton as Steven Gerrard took the lead over former midfield rival Frank Lampard.

The two faced off as managers for the first time after years of on-field battles in games between Liverpool and Chelsea.

Both had overseen losses in their opening Premier League games and it was Gerrard's side who secured their first victory of the season with a dominating display at Villa Park.

The home side watched him from the start and got the breakthrough midway through the first half when Ollie Watkins, making his first start of the season, found his strike partner Ings at the inside the box and he turned around sharply before clinically shooting into the back of the net.

Everton, once again playing without a recognized striker, failed to manage a shot on target in the first half, despite seeing an Anthony Gordon effort ruled out by the video assistant referee for off-target game.

Substitute Buendia saw a deflected shot clear of the line as Vila pressed for a second, which duly arrived in the closing stages when Buendia stabbed after a good move.

Lucas Digne turned a cross into his own net immediately afterwards to give Everton hope, and they staged a late rally as Gordon was twice denied by Martinez, but Villa held on to take the three dots.

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