Rafa Benitez says a potent cocktail of ingredients is underpinning Everton’s productive beginning to the campaign – and a collective appetite for improvement will guard against anybody resting on their laurels.

Everton go to Aston Villa on Saturday targeting a fourth Premier League win this term and aiming to extend an unbeaten start in all competitions to six matches.

Manager Benitez has twice overseen come-from-behind victories at Goodison Park and paid tribute to Evertonians' influence on their team’s early-season performances.

The kind words for his players were coupled with a message that there is an awful lot of work ahead – starting with a trip to Villa that is followed in short order by Tuesday's Carabao Cup tie at QPR.

“A lot of things make you do well,” said Benitez.

“The first thing is to have good players, to have players motivated and committed, and to have good staff, people around you to help you make the right decisions.

“Our fans at home and away [have been important].

“The support of the fans and connection with the players, all these things together, with a lot of people working hard behind the scenes, make you do well.

“But we can improve everything. I don’t like to concede first – I don’t like to concede anyway… but we have to be sure we can improve that.

“I like to score three goals [as in 3-1 win against Burnley on Monday] but we had chances to score a couple more.

“We can improve in the transition and attacking play.

“It is important to praise the players when they do well.

“But at the same time, you have to demand something more because they can do it.

“If you have potential, my job is to make sure you reach your maximum potential.

“These players have plenty of hunger to improve and we will try to do that.

“We will keep pushing them in the right way and they are trying to be better players every day,

“That is the way to stop complacency.

“It is just the beginning but I am pleased because I think we are moving forwards in the right direction.”

Everton had to make-do without Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the victory over Burnley after the striker scored in each of his side’s opening three Premier League matches.

Benitez, appointed boss in pre-season, identified increased service for Calvert-Lewin as a primary objective from the outset of this campaign.

And, insists Benitez, the side’s approach won’t alter a great deal to accommodate Calvert-Lewin’s absence for the next "two-to-three weeks".

In essence, the Spaniard is busy creating an identity for his team and it entails speed and positivity, service from wide, and sheer hard work.

“I watched some games from the past year and spoke with a lot of people here," said Benitez.

“The team was trying to play from the back but without being direct, or more offensive in some parts of the game.

“When you have a striker like Dominic, he needs more crosses.

“We will try to do that.

“He’s not with us at the moment but Richarlison and Salomon Rondon can benefit from the pace and ability of our wingers.

“Football has to be a mix between keeping the ball and quickly going forward.

“We are trying to have options depending on the game.

“I know the city and how Evertonians want their players to perform on the pitch.

“The main thing for me is to see a lot of players trying their best.

“Not players thinking they are very good, or don’t care.

“This group of players care and are working hard to try to improve every day.”

Everton have scored at least twice in all five of their matches this term.

Demarai Gray slid home the third against Burnley to draw level with Calvert-Lewin on three goals for the campaign.

And former Valencia manager Benitez is keen for Gray to continue sizzling against tricky opponents in Villa this weekend.

“He is training so well and is so ambitious to do well,” added Benitez.

“He will try every day to improve, to be a better player, to score goals and give assists.

“He knows he has to be consistent and I am supporting him 100 per cent and demanding more from him every game.

“Aston Villa are investing money and have good players and the manager is doing a good job.

“It is an offensive team, an attacking team.

“We have to be strong in defence and be sure we can score goals and keep the same mentality of not giving up until the end of the game.”