Aston Villa missed the chance to go second behind Premier League leaders Arsenal as Everton secured a deserved victory at Villa Park.

Unai Emery’s in-form side had won their previous 11 games at Villa Park, but Everton pulled off another excellent win on their travels through Thierno Barry’s composed strike.

Everton almost stunned Villa Park after only 11 seconds when Merlin Rohl broke on to a long clearance, only to the hit post with a low finish.

Manager David Moyes was then frustrated when Jake O’Brien’s header from a corner was ruled out, the video assistant referee adjudging Harrison Armstrong was offside.

Villa had opportunities of their own, substitute Evann Guessand – on for captain John McGinn after he sustained a knee injury early on – heading against the bar with Everton keeper Jordan Pickford flat-footed.

But it was Barry who broke the deadlock after 59 minutes, pouncing with a quality lofted finish after Villa keeper Emi Martinez made a hash of a routine save from Dwight McNeil’s shot following careless defending.

Villa, inevitably, responded and it took an athletic flying save from Pickford to deny England team-mate Morgan Rogers.

They remain level with Manchester City on 43 points – seven behind Arsenal – but below them in the table because of a vastly inferior goal difference.