Everton could not capitalise on a dominant performance full of energy against Aston Villa as they suffered a first home defeat under manager Sean Dyche.

Having registered successive 1-0 victories over Arsenal and Leeds United at Goodison Park since Dyche took charge, the Blues did more than enough to repeat the feat – with Neal Maupay having an effort cleared off the line – only for Ollie Watkins’ 63^rd-minute penalty and substitute Emiliano Buendia’s late strike leaving them empty-handed.

Dyche named an unchanged starting line-up for the first time as Everton manager, meaning Maupay retained his place leading an attack flanked by Alex Iwobi and Dwight McNeil.

The Blues enjoyed some possession in the early stages, and through Conor Coady and Jordan Pickford, often looked to play direct balls in behind the visitors’ high defensive line.

That approach nearly paid off after just seven minutes when Maupay displayed impressive patience in his hold-up play to find McNeil on the left wing. The forward flashed centred across the box and Alex Iwobi nearly found the back of the net after sneaking towards Emiliano Martinez’ front post.

Not long after, Villa responded and Pickford was called into action when Watkins was played through on goal only for the England No.1 to race off his line and block the shot.

Strong counter-attacking play from Abdoulaye Doucoure, Amadou Onana, and Iwobi led to Everton winning a corner in the 29^th minute. McNeil, who impressed up against Matty Cash throughout the half, whipped a cross in from the left. Maupay rose impressively to nod the ball across goal, and just wide of the post, with James Tarkowski inches away from tapping home.

Continuing their dominant spell, the hosts earned another chance in the 34^th minute as Mykolenko picked out Onana in the area with a sweet cross and the Belgium international saw his close-range header tipped over the bar by Martinez.

The corner amounted to nothing, but Everton, spurred on by a vocal Goodison Park, remained on top.

Nearing the conclusion of the first half, Dyche’s men came close again. Iwobi’s exquisite chipped through ball found McNeil, who chopped and turned before laying off to Maupay. However, the Frenchmen’s shot could find only the arms of a stretching Martinez.

The first 45 minutes finished with the Blues having registered twice as many shots as Aston Villa, in an encouraging display without reward.

When play resumed after the break, it was Villa’s turn to threaten early on, Jacob Ramsey making a powerful run through the centre of the pitch before hitting a tame effort that failed to trouble Pickford.

Other than that, the Blues continued as the dominant side; often pressing aggressively from the front when Villa tried to play their way out from the back.

The pressure nearly paid off 10 minutes after the restart as McNeil’s free-kick caused panic in the area, enabling Maupay to snatch at an effort that beat Martinez but was cleared off the line by Mings.

The visitors responded strongly, nearly finding the back of the net themselves. Digne found space behind Iwobi on Villa’s left wing, and the former Blue found Watkins with an accurate ball into the box but Pickford did superbly well to tip his goalbound header on to the bar and out.

Having been the better side for so much of the contest, Everton were hit by a suckerpunch just past the hour mark. John McGinn worked his way into the area and as he shaped to shoot, the Scot was brought down by Gana, with Watkins converting from the penalty spot.

It was cruel on Everton but they responded well, the lively McNeil linking up with Mykolenko on the left edge of the area, with the Ukrainian going down under a challenge from Aboubacar Kamara, only for referee Anthony Taylor to wave play on.

Looking to his substitutes’ bench, Demarai Gray was sent on by Dyche after 70 minutes to replace Alex Iwobi, while Ellis Simms made his way on to the pitch just five minutes later for Maupay.

Moments after coming on, Simms came close with a volleyed effort, but the young striker couldn’t quite keep the difficult chance on target.

The last 15 minutes of the game saw the Blues dominate possession, as they searched for an equalising goal.

Despite the dominance, Villa were happy to counter attack, and doubled their lead after a breakaway move in the 81^st minute. Using his right foot, Buendia swiftly turned inside the area before firing past Pickford with his left.

Resiliently, Everton persisted with their search for a goal. Tarkowski’s headed chance from a corner flew just over the bar in the 86^th minute.

But their efforts yielded no reward as Dyche tasted his first loss at Goodison, despite another battling performance from his team that offers hope for the rest of the season.