Aston Villa v Everton

Aston Villa slip vs. Everton in chase to close Arsenal gap

Aston Villa's Premier League title ambitions suffered a damaging blow as an 11-game home winning streak ended with a 1-0 defeat to Everton.

Villa could have cut the gap on leaders Arsenal to four points with victory at fortress Villa Park, but they were undone by Thierno Barry's second-half strike.

Barry's 59th-minute winner came courtesy of a defensive howler by Pau Torres, a goalkeeping error by Emiliano Martínez and hands further initiative to the Gunners in the title race.

A frustrating afternoon highlighted how Villa are perhaps not serious title challengers given the fragile state of their squad and they will need some…