Heather Payne insists that Everton’s performance against Aston Villa must be a catalyst for future matches.

Brian Sorensen’s Blues secured three points on Sunday, winning 2-1 at Villa Park as a foul on Payne inside the penalty area presented Nathalie Bjorn an opportunity to fire home from the spot and secure a vital victory.

The Republic of Ireland international was one of several standout performers over the weekend and, speaking afterwards, she applauded the side’s perseverance to secure their second win of the season.

“You could see the reaction at the end of the game,” she told evertontv. “Everyone put in such a big shift, it was a very important game for us.

“We didn’t want to take anything less than three points. We go one nil up and then they get the equaliser [a minute later].

“Everyone just dug deep, and we were lucky enough to get that winning goal and from then there was no way we were going to let them get back in it.”

Despite an overwhelming sense of frustration in camp following a 2-2 home draw with Bristol City, Payne said she and her teammates knew they had to be clear-minded heading to the West Midlands at the weekend.

“At the start of the week we had meetings and we talked about how we just needed to relax,” she continued.

“We’ve been under a lot pressure lately with the start of the season.

“We just needed to regroup, show that we are a good team, play to our ability and take our chances.

“That’s what the focus was last week. Brian had mentioned that at this point last season we had nine points. Now we have eight points and are in the same spot, I think that was important to get into our minds.

“It’s not always about looking at the table and where you are in it. It’s about putting in your best effort each week.

“If you look at the players they (Aston Villa) have, they’re world class.

“Both sides have had tough starts to the season and I think that just made Sunday’s game even bigger and more important.

“It shows how we dug so deep and I’m so proud of the girls, we put such a shift in and that’s why we came away with the three points.”

Payne’s display at Villa Park was reminiscent of her outstanding effort at Anfield earlier this season.

Still only 23-years-old, the Blues defender promised there is still more to come from her.

“Personally, I feel I’ve been inconsistent, up and down,” she added.

“It is a new league, so I need to realise that as well coming in as a new player.

“I’m hoping to put in my best performance every week, happy to be able to play against these players, continue to learn and get better.”

Payne is one of several players away with their national sides over the coming week.

She acknowledged how important a win is given the break, and why the feel-good factor must carry into Everton’s final matches of 2023.

“When you go away on an international break it can be tough if you’ve lost the game before because you don’t want to carry that momentum into the break,” she added.

“This has to be a real big positive for us.

“We play West Ham and Manchester City in our last league games before the [winter] break. We’ll come back from the international break and ready to go again.”