With both Manchester City and Arsenal dropping points this weekend, Villa could have moved within four points of the summit, but Thierno Barry's 59th-minute strike denied it.

Eleven seconds after kick-off, Everton went on the attack, with Merlin Rohl's low drive striking the foot of the left post before bouncing to a grateful Emiliano Martinez.

Jake O'Brien then saw a 33rd-minute header disallowed for an offside against Harrison Armstrong, who was deemed to have interfered with the play from an offside position.

Morgan Rogers forced a sprawling stop out of Jordan Pickford and Evann Guessand – on for the injured John McGinn – struck the crossbar with a looping header before the break, as Villa got on top.

But when Pau Torres took a loose touch just outside his box, Dwight McNeil pounced. His curler was pushed away by Martinez, with Barry on hand to lift a lovely finish over the goalkeeper on the rebound.

Pickford made another stunning save to deny Rogers an equaliser as Villa upped the pressure, while Emiliano Buendia headed wide in the closing seconds.

But Villa, which saw its impressive 11-game winning streak at Villa Park in all competitions come to an end, remains third, seven points behind the Gunners.