Lucy Graham’s second-half strike proved the difference as Everton returned to winning ways with a 1-0 Barclays Women's Super League victory over Aston Villa at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.

Having impressed for large periods against champions Chelsea in a 3-1 loss last time out, Brian Sorensen’s side were full value for the victory in the West Midlands as Graham netted the winner just before the hour mark with a neat finish at the back post after a sweeping counter-attack.

It meant Everton moved above Villa up to fourth in the WSL table ahead of their meeting with the same side in the Continental League Cup at Walton Hall Park on Wednesday night.

The Blues started well, looking comfortable on the ball and building patiently from the back. It was Villa with the first chance of the game, however, as Rachel Daly placed a shot wide from close range.

Everton still remained in control of the ball, and a good run down the right channel from Jess Park moved their attack into the final third, with the ball ending at Katrine Veje’s feet whose long-range effort arrived into the arms of Anna Leat.

The Blues’ momentum had placed them deep into Villa’s half that saw Karen Holmgaard win a free-kick in a promising area. Hanna Bennison delivered from wide and Graham connected with a glancing header that went just wide.

Everton’s first corner of the game saw a flurry of chances from Rikke Sevecke and Megan Finnigan, with both of their efforts blocked by a stubborn Villa defence.

The Toffees showed their resilience late in the first half as Villa increased their pressure through multiple crosses from both wings.

Courtney Brosnan was called into action as Daly broke free to find herself one on one, but the Everton stopper was out quickly to dive at the feet of the Villa forward and prevent the home side going ahead.

Brosnan then made sure the two sides went in level at the break as she gathered a powerful strike from long distance.

Everton were forced to soak up a large amount of pressure as Villa started the second half as they finished the first.

Nathalie Bjorn and Sevecke remained a solid duo in the Everton penalty area as they cleared their lines from more Villa crosses.

Sørensen’s side reaped the rewards for the patient and resilient defending as they took the lead on 58 minutes.

Bennison was quickest to retrieve a clearance down the left wing, and smartly found Finnigan inside.

The Everton number 20 drove deep into the Villa half before releasing Park down the right wing who managed to switch the play as Gabby George overlapped from wing-back into the penalty area.

George’s excellent cross towards the back post found Graham who finished emphatically on the half-volley to put the Blues ahead.

Everton continued to show their excellent defending standards, limiting Villa to crosses and long-range shots that were dealt with comfortably by the backline en route to three hard-earned points.

Image credit: @beanhive