Everton, in back-to-back Premier League games, have now surrendered a two-goal lead to go on to lose the match.

First collapsing spectacularly at home to AFC Bournemouth, yesterday’s trip to Aston Villa was always bound to command more hard work, yet when they raced into another positive scoreline, optimism was renewed.

Alas, there was a constant and overwhelming fear that, in typical Toffees fashion, they might find a way to usurp their prior disappointment.

What makes their eventual 3-2 loss even more frustrating is how perfect they had started the match, thwarting the hosts completely and, crucially, embarrassing Amadou Onana for the opening goal as well.

Everton fans send message to Amadou Onana

This marked the first meeting between Everton and Villa since the Belgium international joined for a £50m fee last summer.

Now whilst there was no bad blood between the two parties as they parted ways, with the Toffees happy for the funds whilst the midfielder took the next natural step up, returning to face your old club is always an emotional moment.

Especially when much of the fanbase are still so torn on whether the 23-year-old was actually as good as many claim.

But, regardless of pre-match opinions, seeing Dwight McNeil clatter into him mid-way through the first, reclaiming possession only to then fire home the opener, was a sight that the travelling Toffees had earned.

BBC Sport reported how the Everton fans reacted and, in turn, how Villa Park responded: ‘There are jeers from the Everton fans in the direction of former player Amadou Onana when he gets on the ball.

‘The Aston Villa supporters respond with a chant of, “Ama, Amadou, Ama, Amadou…”’.

Everton performed admirably in tough circumstances

Now, before the match, there were few Evertonians who expected little else than a Villa win.

After all, given their respective form, and how the two clubs’ trajectories have different in recent years, all signs point towards Unai Emery’s side cruising to victory.

However, the manner of yesterday’s defeat, another loss after leading by two goals, has arguably sparked more outrage than had they just routinely lost by two or three goals.

Sean Dyche can still take solace from the fact that, whilst still so frustrating, that was not the performance of a side that has downed tools and are resigned to relegation.

A poor collapse, yes, but nothing to fear across a long season, despite there having been doubts over Dyche’s Everton future going into the clash.

What he must sort out though, with some haste, is the backline situation.

After all, that continues to lose him fans with each passing week.

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