Moyes beat Fulham in his first game as Everton manager in 2002, but never looked like repeating the trick here. Villa, relative equals during his previous spell at Goodison, are now light years ahead.

David Moyes had never given up hope that Everton would summon him back but after the years of dreaming, the three or four times he came close to the job, the night he was told he had it, only to be informed the following morning it was instead going to Carlo Ancelotti,

"Obviously it's been a bit of a whirlwind. Sean Dyche left a group of players that have great character and a great attitude, I'm really pleased to take over that. What I need to do is add quality and find a way of getting results but you can't change the whole thing around straight away.

The second coming of David Moyes failed to inspire Everton on Wednesday as they lost 1-0 at home to Aston Villa and, though they might not need a miracle to avoid Premier League relegation, the returning manager will at least have to find a way for them to score.

Senior figures at Villa see every window as an opportunity to augment the squad, but this month feels especially pressing

David Moyes was granted a Goodison Park guard of honour when he left Everton to become Manchester United manager. He deserves to be carried into the new stadium in a Sedan Chair if he can keep this team in the Premier League.

David Moyes said he had witnessed the scale of the task he faces to keep Everton in the Premier League after a dismal 1-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa on Wednesday.

Moyes realising size of task in turning Everton around after Villa loss 15/01/2025 Goodison Park, Liverpool, UK

David Moyes plans Everton turnaround. After the news that Sean Dyche was relieved of his duties in charge of Everton just hours before their FA Cup tie against Peterborough United