Katja Snoeijs and Karoline Olesen believe Saturday’s win over Aston Villa has set the benchmark for Everton in 2024.

It was a dominant display from the Blues, who progressed into the Women’s FA Cup fifth round courtesy of a Snoeijs brace that followed a maiden Olesen strike in royal blue.

Danish midfielder Olesen latched on to Hanna Bennison’s ball across goal, firing home via the underside of the crossbar to set Brian Sorensen's side on the way to victory just before the hour mark.

“The ball came to me, and it just thought, ‘This is my time to score my first goal’,” she told evertontv. “It went in so I’m really happy.

“It was an important goal because we were playing well but just needed that goal to make it count.

“I was just really happy to be the one who scored it.”

Snoeijs, who also got off the mark for the campaign at Walsall's Bescot Stadium, continued: “Personally, it was nice to get my first goal of the season in,” she said.

“The games against Villa are always tight, we’ve experienced that in the league as well. Getting that second goal in just gives you that little bit more time and space to breathe, play and have fun.

“That’s what we did and then we get a third goal too. Overall, it was a really good team performance.”

The Dutch forward’s second of the afternoon came from a penalty - and she was grateful for the opportunity to convert, given the number of talented spot-kick takers in the Blues' squad.

“Throughout the week I always practice penalties but on Friday the whole team practiced, it’s a cup game so you need to be ready,” she continued.

“There are multiple players who can step up and feel comfortable, I think that’s a good thing to have in the team. Goalkeepers can prepare a little bit less because everyone is ready to take it.”

Both Olesen and Snoeiks agreed the most pleasing factor from Saturday’s win was the execution of their press and ability to control the match in possession.

“The pressure worked really well today, that just makes us hungry to press even more,” Olesen said.

“That gives us the extra energy that we need, and we need to keep working on that pressure because that is what can take us far.

Snoeijs added: “They were trying to find solutions and sometimes they found options to play through, but I think that’s also the quality of our team, how we can adapt and find new ways to press them.

“That’s what we did really well throughout the whole game. It cost energy but if you win then it doesn’t matter!”