Sutton gives Villa win at Everton

Everton 0 Aston Villa 1

Chris Sutton's maiden goal for Aston Villa secured his club's first away league win of the season.

Veteran Sutton struck with a neat header just before the break and Villa fought gallantly throughout the second period to hang on to the points.

Everton lost inspirational midfielder Tim Cahill with what looked like a serious leg injury in the first half, the Australian being carried off on a stretcher.

The Merseysiders were without the injured Nuno Valente, nursing a groin injury, and the suspended James McFadden, and it meant a recall in midfield for Simon Davies, while Alan Stubbs came in at the back and Joleon Lescott switched to left back.

Villa were without Aaron Hughes with a groin strain, which meant Olof Mellberg moving to full back. Gary Cahill, Isaiah Osbourne and Liam Ridgewell all came into the side with Martin Laursen and Gareth Barry also injured.

Villa started the brightest and Osbourne rattled a 20-yard shot wide. Then Sutton set up Stiliyan Petrov on the edge of the box, and Tim Howard was forced into a save by his boots.

But it was a messy game with neither side able to maintain possession for long.

Everton struggled to get their game going and a hooked effort from Stubbs went high over to underline how scrappy the opening was.

Then Andrew Johnson took advantage of an error by Wilfred Bouma to sprint away, and he should have slid the ball into the unmarked Davies' path but chose to cut into the box himself and the chance was lost as Villa defenders closed in.

But Everton then suffered what looked like a serious injury to one of their stars for the second time in three home games. Last month David Weir was carried off with a nasty head injury that saw him unconscious on the pitch.

This time, on 21 minutes, it was Cahill departing on a stretcher. The Australian midfielder had been accidentally caught on his right leg by team-mate Lee Carsley, and after several minutes' treatment Cahill was carried away to be replaced by James Beattie.

Everton reverted to a 4-4-2 formation with Beattie joining Johnson up front.

The loss of Cahill is always a serious blow for Everton, such is his drive and energy, and a big gap appeared in midfield with McCann running 40 yards unchallenged before testing Howard.

And Everton found themselves behind on 41 minutes when Sutton scored his first goal for Villa with a glancing header from Osbourne's cross from the right.

Even England man Johnson could not pull Everton level. In first-half stoppage time, he collected a Beattie flick on and raced into the box only to fire wide from 10 yards.

Three minutes after the break, Carsley burst clear in the box and fired wide from eight yards.

Villa appealed for handball but referee Phil Dowd gave nothing. Then Beattie failed to capitalise when Davies created an opening with a fine pass.

And this was the pattern of the half - Everton effort and toil, Villa defending well and the frustration growing for the hosts.

Johnson's chip then set up Carsley for a header that dropped wide and Beattie headed over from a Leon Osman free-kick.

One fine run down the left by Arteta produced a low cross that went begging, before the Basque midfielder curled a free-kick just wide.

Victor Anichebe replaced Osman to give Everton more power up front, but it made little difference even if the youngster had a last-gasp effort charged down.

Arteta provided the best endeavour for Everton and a clever run saw Carsley presented with a clear shooting chance but there was no power in the effort and Thomas Sorensen saved with ease.