Ollie Watkins made goalscoring history for Aston Villa as the Lions sent Everton back into the Premier League relegation zone with a 2-0 win at Goodison Park.
The Englishman drew first blood from the penalty spot before Emiliano Buendia's sublime late goal clinched victory for Unai Emery's men - who were under the cosh for the opening 60 minutes - handing Sean Dyche his first home defeat in charge of the Toffees and making their survival task that little bit more difficult.
The Lions enjoyed plentiful periods of possession in the opening exchanges, albeit while rarely troubling Jordan Pickford, who put his body on the line for the team that he recently committed his long-term future to.
A 10th-minute clattering between Pickford and Watkins left the England goalkeeper dazed, but he was given the all-clear to carry on.
A particularly effervescent start from Everton's Dwight McNeil - who sent in cross after cross - did not count for much either, but the Goodison Park crowd sensed that the momentum was with their side.
Emiliano Martinez was called into action in the 34th minute to keep out a goal-bound header from Amadou Onana - tipping the midfielder's effort over the bar as Dyche's side upped the ante.
Everton's endeavours would not be rewarded before the break, prior to which Neal Maupay sent an effort straight at Martinez in the first 45 minutes, and the Frenchman would come agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock nine minutes after the restart.
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An almighty goalmouth scramble saw Maupay's close-range effort hooked off the line by Mings - his second last-ditch clearance in the space of eight days after his heroic touch to deny Ben White for Arsenal last week.
For all of Everton's pressure, Villa would be handed a gilt-edged chance to break the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute when John McGinn was felled by Idrissa Gueye inside the box.
Watkins stepped up and crashed home his penalty down the middle, becoming the first-ever player to score in five successive Premier League matches for Aston Villa and giving the Lions an arguably undeserved lead.
Everton responded well to Watkins's history-making opener, but Emery's backline remained steadfast and witnessed substitute Ellis Simms volley over the bar in the 77th minute.
Dyche's first two games in charge of Everton at Goodison Park ended in victory, but any hopes of the Toffees springing a fightback were extinguished in the 81st minute as Buendia latched onto McGinn's pass and cut onto his left foot before firing home.
Customary time-wasting tactics from Martinez came into play as Villa saw out the final exchanges, sending Everton down into 18th place, although the Lions' 11th-placed standing remains unaffected.
Next up for Everton is a daunting clash at league leaders Arsenal on Wednesday night, while Villa host Crystal Palace next weekend.
Ben Knapton
