Ferguson: ‘I couldn’t fault’ Everton players who ‘tried their best’

Everton caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson admitted he couldn’t fault any of his players despite their defeat to Aston Villa.

Villa took the lead just before half-time as Emi Buendia nodded home from former Everton defender Lucas Digne’s cross and despite the Toffees pressure in the second-half, Steven Gerrard’s side held on to secure the win. 

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Ferguson has been put in temporary charge for the upcoming games after Rafa Benitez was sacked earlier this week but the Everton legend could do nothing to turn round their poor form.

Speaking to BT Sport after the defeat, Ferguson admitted: “I thought first half we were off it, maybe a wee bit of stage fright. We didn’t create many chances at all in the first half.

“But I thought the second half we gave everything, just lacking that bit of quality in the final third to stick one in. The effort was there, I couldn’t fault them in any way.

“I tried my best. The players tried the best. Allan has had Covid and he’s not trained for a week and we put him in. So we made quite a few changes. You just have to try and do the best you possibly can.”

The game was marred by scenes amongst the Everton supporters as both Buendia and Matty Cash were struck by a bottle when celebrating the Argentinian’s goal. The supporters has since been arrested and their actions were condemned by Ferguson.

“I never saw it but the supporters should not be doing that.”

The Scottish coach was also asked if there was any update on the managerial situation.

“I’ll carry on until the new manager comes in. That’s it.”

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford also spoke to the media after the game, revealing he thought the Toffees were improved, but still had things to work on.

“Set-pieces in games are crucial, every game you play, we need to work better on that as a unit.

“The fight, the tempo, we were solid at the back today, a set-piece did us. Second half we were much better. It was unfortunate to go in 1-0 down but we showed character and desire, just that finishing touch really.

“The character was second to none and the graft was really there. It’ll come, we are working hard, work hard on the training pitch and then go out and express yourself, it wasn’t to be today. But we were solid and resilient, they didn’t create many chances.”