Everton travelled to Villa Park with a depleted squad, but they emerged from Villa Park victorious, having produced a gritty display to claim three points in the Premier League and maintain their unlikely fight for a European place.
It might be unfair to claim David Moyes' bid is an unlikely one. This is a strange season, and despite a poor run of form throughout the winter, the Toffees find themselves four points away from Liverpool in the top four, with key personnel set to return following various injuries and absences.
And with stars like Jack Grealish in the fold, this could be a fantastic season for the Merseysiders in their new home, with the Friedkin Group showing off their ambition by lining up a number of ambitious bids before the January transfer window slams shut.
Everton planning January signings
Everton hardly have a bottomless pit to draw from this month, but it's positive to note that there is a willingness from the powers that be to spend if the right opportunity arises.
While the focus seems to be on signing a new striker, Thierno Barry is making progress in the final third, and with Jarrad Branthwaite still sidelined, it could be said that Everton need a centre-back too.
Well, according to TEAMtalk, the Merseyside club have been in talks with intermediaries over a potential move for Manchester City defender John Stones, who is looking for regular minutes at this later stage of his career.
Pep Guardiola's side have completed a deal for England centre-back Marc Guehi, and Stones, 31, might consider an emotional return to Everton as he looks to secure his place in Thomas Tuchel's England side, with the World Cup looming large.
What John Stones would add to Everton
Stones is one of the most decorated Englishmen of his generation, but he's reached the later stage of his career in English football, and it's clear that his minutes will be slimmed down if he remains with title-chasing Man City.
John Stones - Titles at Manchester City | ||
|---|---|---|
Competition | Times won | Seasons |
Data via Transfermarkt | ||
Of course, he's still as talented as they come, and would add technical command and leadership to a Toffees backline that has already proved itself durable and tenacious under Moyes' leadership.
Hailed for his "world-class" quality by England teammate Ezri Konsa, Stones is one of the best ball-playing defenders around, having chalked up 290 appearances for the Citizens since joining from Everton for £47.5m in August 2016.
Even now, Stones ranks among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe for assists, the top 3% for pass completion and the top 16% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.
He also possesses a rare skill at coming up clutch. Many a time has Stones popped up with a dramatic late goal or a stunning goalline clearance during some heightened point in one of Guardiola's dramatic title battles.
Stones, who The Athletic have confirmed pockets £250k per week at Man City, would join former teammate Grealish over on Merseyside, and perhaps that would help him decide, with interest from a myriad of clubs across Europe.
After all, Grealish is as happy as he's been in years, having chalked up six assists from 20 Premier League appearances this season.
The fleet-footed winger is a veteran now, but he's dovetailed right into this Toffees set-up, and whose to say that Stones wouldn't do the same, especially when considering how his minutes could be managed alongside Branthwaite and the skipper James Tarkowski.
Everton might need to convince Stones to take a wage cut, but if they can engineer an affordable deal, Moyes might just welcome his next version of Grealish to an outfit on the rise.