Everton secured their second win of the season with a superb display, beating hosts Aston Villa 2-1 on Sunday night.

It was a battling performance from Brian Sorensen's side who secured maximum points thanks to a winning spot-kick calmly placed by Nathalie Bjorn.

Only a point separated the sides prior to kick-off at Villa Park, with the hosts looking for their first-ever home win over the Toffees in the Women's Super League era.

Blues boss Sorensen made two changes to the side that drew with Bristol City, Hanna Bennison and Heather Payne coming in for the unavailable Martina Piemonte and Aurora Galli.

It was an end-to-end opening 45 minutes, with Katja Snoeijs came closest to putting Everton in-front on two occasions. 

The first saw the Dutch forward through on goal on four minutes, she cut in to shoot but had her effort gathered by Daphne Van Domselaar.

The Villa 'keeper proved crucial again on 41 minutes when she tipped Snoeijs' effort over the bar from close range.

Everton's positive momentum carried into the second half and secured their opener 10 minutes into the second half.

Full-backs Payne and Sara Holmgaard connected as the latter played the ball across the Villa goal on the left side. It struck of Villa's Anna Patten as it arrived into her own net.

Everton's celebrations were short lived as the hosts equalised a minute later. 

Kirsty Hanson drove down Everton's left and delivered a low cross. It found Rachel Daly whose first-time effort arrived in the near post to restore parity.

While confidence could have dipped in that moment, that was simply not the case as Everton went again and regained a deserved lead.

Payne was brought down in the corner of the box by Hanson, the referee in no doubt as she pointed to the spot. 

Half time substitute, Bjorn stepped up to the task and delivered a composed finish into the bottom right corner. Villa's Van Domselaar sent the opposite direction. 

From there it was a test of the Toffees' resilience and character, which they displayed in abundance. 

Courtney Brosnan, a player who has been crucial in several moments so far this season, stepped up to deny former Blues, Kenza Dali and Simone Magill in the final stages. 

The Toffees held on and secured a momentous win that takes them to eighth in the league table.

Sorensen's side return to league action following the international break with a trip to London to face West Ham United.