Emiliano Buendia scored the winner for Aston Villa as Duncan Ferguson’s second spell in interim charge of Everton began with defeat at Goodison Park.
Buendia sent a looping near-post header over goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and into the far corner shortly before half-time, reports the BBC.
There were unsavoury scenes during the celebrations, with Matty Cash and former Toffees player Lucas Digne hit by a bottle thrown from the crowd.
Everton offered more of a threat in the second half, with Ben Godfrey having a header cleared off the line by Tyrone Mings and Yerry Mina twice going close with headers of his own, but Villa held on.
RESULT
• Everton 0 – 1 Aston Villa