The last time Aston Villa suffered such a heavy defeat to Everton they could at least console themselves with the knowledge they were crowned champions of Europe three months earlier. The sight of Tony Morley nonchalantly rolling in a penalty in the half-time
entertainment was a reminder that Villa were 1982’s European Cup winners. Now they are reduced to making history of a different sort.
The poorest start in their 141-year existence has got worse.


If Rémi Garde was under any illusions about the scale of the challenge he has taken on, he should not be now. Villa’s last 12 outings have produced only two points and the Frenchman’s first defeat was cemented before the interval. “When you are 3-0 down at half-time, the game is over,” the new manager admitted. While Villa acquitted themselves commendably to secure a draw against Manchester City in Garde’s debut,
they capitulated embarrassingly here.