IT WAS a case of new manager, same result for Everton, who lost to Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Former player and long-time coach Duncan Ferguson is in temporary charge of the Toffees for a second stint after the sacking of Rafa Benitez this month, having also stepped in when Marco Silva was sacked in 2019.

But the home side created nothing of note in the first half and fell behind to an Emi Buendia header from a Lucas Digne corner on the stroke of half time.

Digne moved from Everton to Villa only last week, and a bottle was thrown in the direction of the Frenchman as he and his teammates celebrated their goal. An Everton supporter has been arrested, and the club announced bans would be issued to fans who throw objects onto the pitch.

Ferguson’s side had the better of the second half but failed to equalise, Dominic Calvert-Lewin missing the best chance from Anthony Gordon’s cross.

A group of Everton supporters staged a sit-in protest against the board after the game as there are no signs of a change in direction on or off the pitch.