Pickford fumes
Jordan Pickford again will have left Goodison Park disappointed that he couldn't keep a clean sheet for Everton.
It was through little fault of his own that Emiliano Buendia's header from the near post looped over him and into the back of the net, with his fingertips just taking the ball away from the waiting Andros Townsend on the line.
But before then, the England No.1 had already produced a number of important saves - and one fantastic stop from an offside Ollie Watkins.
He was determined to try and keep Aston Villa out, and showed that with the score still at 0-0.
Having seen the opponents burst into the Everton box all-too easily before winning a corner, Pickford turned to Andre Gomes in particular and shouted loudly at the midfielder for not following his man.
Anger no doubt would have followed the goalkeeper down into the dressing room at the end of the first half too thanks to Buendia's late goal.
Directors box conversation
At the beginning of the second half, as those in the directors box filtered back to their seats, it was interesting to note a conversation taking place at the top of the stairs.
Tom Davies was sat in that section of the stand watching his teammates as he continues to make his recovery from injury, with his social media providing an interesting glimpse at the process the midfielder is currently going through.
Before supporting the side for the second half, however, he was involved in what was a minute-long chat with Denise Barrett-Baxendale before the chief executive took to her seat.
READ MORE: Everton release Abdoulaye Doucoure injury statement after Aston Villa substitution
LIVE: Everton manager latest - Wayne Rooney claim plus Duncan Ferguson thoughts
READ MORE: What Bill Kenwright said to Everton fans outside Goodison Park after Villa defeat
Smiles were regularly on the faces of both as hope was clearly still there that the Blues could get a result in the match, with the atmosphere being as strong as it was.
Davies will no doubt be counting down the days until he can be back on the pitch helping Everton to more points for the remainder of the campaign.
Gray's desire
Unfortunately for Demarai Gray, he couldn't have the attacking effect he desired for Everton on this occasion.
His teammates didn't get the ball to the winger often enough, and there were moments of bright sparks from the summer arrival, but this time it wasn't to be.
However, the signs of the hard work that he puts into every performance were still absolutely there.
One moment in the second half saw Aston Villa attempting a counter attack from an Everton corner, with Ollie Watkins bursting down the flank to try and create something for the visitors.
But the England international was stopped firmly in his tracks by Gray, who sprinted almost the full length of the pitch to put in an inch-perfect challenge on the forward and get Everton their possession back.
Full time despair
It was clear to see that the players were gutted by the time the full time whistle came.
Those who took to the pitch had put their heart and soul into their performance, but they didn't have the quality to create the regular chances that Everton needed to get a result.
The Blues had a late corner just before the end of the match, with even Pickford making his way into the box to try and salvage a point, and it was inside the Aston Villa box that many dropped to the floor at full time.
DUNCAN FERGUSON: Caretaker Everton boss makes transfer admission for January window
Multiple players dropped to their haunches and looked over their surroundings, while Duncan Ferguson himself looked visibly gutted when walking onto the pitch to lift up his players.
All of those involved applauded the fans who had backed them throughout the game before heading down the tunnel.
Protest reactions
A number of those supporters stayed behind in both the Gwladys Street and the Park End to protest at the end of the game.
Among chants of "sack the board" and other songs, those in the stands also reacted to players and managers coming back onto the pitch to take part in their post-match media duties.
Steven Gerrard was, expectedly, greeted with boos as he emerged back into Goodison Park from the corner of the ground, but he didn't seem to react to the noise from the stands.
Ferguson got a much different reception and responded by giving a round of applause to those fans still inside the stadium as they sang his name.
Gray came back into the pitch and had to wait on the touchline before taking part in his round of interviews, and he couldn't help but turn around to the Gwladys Street and watch the fans as they protested.
Richarlison also reacted when he came out of the tunnel to leave the ground, giving a round of applause to the fans as they chanted his name when he walked around the touchline and out of the stadium.
