Tuesday 1 March 2016 23:50, UK
Roberto Martinez believes his Everton side were worthy winners as they coasted past Premier League strugglers Aston Villa on Tuesday.
The Merseysiders ran out 3-1 victors at Villa Park thanks to goals from Ramiro Funes Mori, Aaron Lennon and Romelu Lukaku's 17th Premier League goal of season.
"I was really pleased with the performance, the start of the game was very good," Martinez told Sky Sports. "We expected the game to be tense, when you get to this stage of the season every point matters. When you play away from home you have to adapt to the intensity the home side brings and we started well.
"From that point on we had to defend well, Aston Villa pushed us a lot with a new formation and had a lot of width and put a lot of balls into the box. Throughout we defended well, we were well worth the win and it was a really important win for us.
We took our goals really well, we were very clinical, ruthless in that respect. Of course you want to score more goals but we managed the game well enough when we were ahead.
"It is difficult to have composure throughout the whole 90 minutes when you're away from home and we had that.
"It was one of those display which, from the outside, will not be given the credit deserves because we were away from home, Aston Villa were fighting for their lives and you could see the fight and spirit between them.
"So I am delighted to be able to get that win and that performance."
Victory for Everton moved them up to 10th in the league, above local rivals Liverpool who play Manchester City on Wednesday.
It was the Toffees' fourth victory in their last five games in all competitions yet, while pleased with his side's recent form, Martinez set his sights on improving their record at Goodison Park.
"Our performances have been very good, we are in a rich vein of form and we are enjoying our football with a lot of confidence," Martinez added.
"We have to make sure we go game by game with the understanding that each point will get us closer towards where we want to get.
"We want to get wins at Goodison in front our fans, where we haven't been as good as we have been this season."
