New Everton manager David Moyes lamented his players’ display in possession against Aston Villa – and reiterated his desire to help out-of-form striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin score again.

Twelve years after leaving the club following an 11-year first spell at Goodison Park, Moyes oversaw his first game as the visiting Villans less than a week after predecessor Sean Dyche was sacked. A keenly fought match was won 1-0.

“I’m under no illusions about the job I have to do,” Moyes told TNT Sports after the result, thanks to one goal in six league games, kept the Toffees a point above the relegation zone.

“I hate to say it, I don’t think we’re at our best this season” 😤

Morgan Rodgers says Villa are back to their best after their first away win in five games 🙌

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“We didn’t score again tonight. We have to show a lot more quality on the ball and play better with the ball.

“I was disappointed with that part tonight; I have told the players. We didn’t play well enough and retain the ball the way we should have.

Moyes on Calvert-Levine

Moyes challenged Calvert-Lewin to start scoring straight away on his first day at Everton’s Finch Farm training complex, and the former England international had chances presented during the first half before hitting the crossbar from close range in second-half extra time. .

The 27-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and has made 16 appearances since his last goal at Aston Villa on September 14.

“It’s not really a big deal to do with David Moyes tonight, it’s a lot to do with the players”

David Moyes’ honest assessment of tonight’s defeat and the expectations ahead for Everton 💬

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“I’ve told Dom to see if he can get himself into scoring positions,” Moyes said. “He can show everyone that he is a really hard-working centre-forward and that he can work harder.

“He had a couple of chances tonight – he took one on the run in the first half and he was a bit unlucky, it was a really good effort. He had a big miss at the end, which was probably a big chance for him.”

Everton vs Tottenham

Moyes attributed Ollie Watkins’ 51st-minute winner to “a bit of a mistake and being out of position”, and added praise for Dyche.

Just rock-bottom Southampton They have won fewer games and scored fewer goals in the Premier League this season than Everton, who host struggling Tottenham on Sunday (2pm GMT).

“Sean got some good results early in the season – good draws, when we were tough to play against,” Moyes said.

“The character (of the players) always shone through when Sean was here. They tried (tonight) but couldn’t get the result.