If only Dominic Calvert-Lewin could play in this competition every week.
The Everton striker has found consistency hard to find in an injury-troubled career yet his 11th goal in nine League Cup starts saw Sean Dyche’s team into round four as woeful Villa were deservedly booed off at half-time.
Calvert-Lewin’s strike followed James Garner’s first-half opener on a miserable night for Villa with Boubacar Kamara’s late effort not enough to save them.
Unai Emery is renowned as a cup specialist yet has lost all three of his domestic ties as Villa boss. Until Everton’s second, Villa’s attitude was appalling, and their improvement arrived far too late.
Both sides made five changes each yet where Everton were sharp and committed, Villa played as though they would rather be anywhere but here. Boss Unai Emery used midfielder John McGinn at left-back, which seemed to say everything about his approach to this competition.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored Everton’s second goal in the League Cup win against Aston Villa
Calvert-Lewin scored for the second consecutive match after bagging against Brentford in the Premier League at the weekend
Former Manchester United midfielder James Garner opened the scoring for the Toffees
The visitors’ opener was comical. Leander Dendoncker overhit a backpass to reserve goalkeeper Robin Olsen, who smashed his clearance at Douglas Luiz.
The Brazilian could not control it and when the ball broke to Amadou Onana, he released Garner and the midfielder drove home from close range.
Everton should have doubled their lead before half-time. More farcical defending saw Danjuma’s deflected shot hit McGinn and loop goalwards, where Olsen clawed it away.
Then Dominic Calvert-Lewin shot into the side netting after Olsen had saved his original effort.
Boubacar Kamara’s (right) late effort was not enough to save Villa from defeat against Everton
Everton manager Sean Dyche celebrated his side advancing to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup
Emery made a triple substitution at half-time with Lucas Digne, Ollie Watkins and Boubacar Kamara all introduced yet it made no difference as Everton scored their second in the 50th minute.
Youri Tielemans’ underhit pass caught Ezri Konsa on his heels and Calvert-Lewin did the rest, stealing possession and racing clear before slotting beyond Olsen.
Moussa Diaby then had Villa’s first serious effort when he forced Jordan Pickford to keep out his angled strike.
There was hope for Villa when Kamara’s strike deflected off substitute Beto and left Pickford helpless but Everton clung on.
