Everton Reserves 2-1 Aston Villa Reserves

A strong Everton second string beat Aston Villa by 2 goals to 1 at the Stobart Stadium in Widnes tonight thanks to first-half goals from Ross Barkley and Royston Drenthe.

Reserve team boss Alan Stubbs was able to call on a host of recognisable names for the fourth reserve fixture of the campaign. They included Slovakian number 1 Jan Mucha, teenage starlet Ross Barkley and new signings Royston Drenthe and Denis Stracqualursi, who had both been added to the reserve squad for a bit of added match fitness.

The full Everton starting line-up was; Mucha, Browning, Nsiala, Mustafi, Garbutt, Gueye, Baxter, Barkley, Drenthe, McAleny, Stracqualursi, with a substitutes bench of Davies, Bidwell, Forshaw, Orenuga, and Hope.

The visitors started the brighter of the two sides and went mightily close to taking the lead when Robinson hit the bar with a 25-yard effort. Villa were on top, but Everton threatened through Ross Barkley and Magaye Gueye as the young duo took the game to Villa.

Indeed, it was that combination that gave Everton the lead. Frenchman Gueye cut the ball back to Barkley, who slotted home from the edge of the area to break the deadlock.

Royston Drenthe, who made his senior Everton debut at the weekend, was heavily involved. One of his less spectacular contributions was a volley that cleared the stand behind the goal, although he did extend Everton's lead before half-time.

A swift counter-attacking move started by goalkeeper Mucha allowed Drenthe to showcase his blistering pace. Magaye Gueye grabbed his second assist of the evening, teeing up the flying Dutchman to make it 2-0.

Denis Stracqualursi, pulling on the royal blue for the first time, showed some neat hold-up play but wasn't overly threatening in terms of goalscoring. He may have to rely on his physical presence to prove a handful for Premier League defences. But the stand-out player for the home side was by far and away Ross Barkley, who, by the admission of the Aston Villa commentator Dan, was 'a class act' and 'majestic'.

Drenthe lived up to his reputation as a bit of a nutcase when, midway through the second half, he blatantly and without any hint of disguise pushed over a Villa player who had just fouled Everton striker Conor McAleny. He was shown a yellow card for his troubles. The derby may be interesting - especially given he has a bit of previous with Stevie G laa...

Aston Villa pulled one back after a shot was parried by Mucha, but Everton held on to claim their second win of the reserve league season.