Micah Richards pinpoints why Everton need to keep exit-linked star in latest Moyes 'masterclass' vs Aston Villa

Everton will rightly have a queue of clubs interested in signing James Garner this January.

David Moyes rejoiced as his side beat Aston Villa 1-0 away from home on Sunday, extending the Toffees’ incredible Premier League record on the road this season.

Thierno Barry scored the all-important winning goal for Everton, but it was perhaps Moyes‘ star midfielder who is the player to thank for three points.

Manchester United are monitoring Garner this transfer window, and Micah Richards‘ assessment of the 24-year-old’s display against Villa is the reason why the Toffees need to hold firm on their prized possession.

Micah Richards calls James Garner the ‘best player on the pitch’ vs Aston Villa

As highlighted by Sofascore, Garner was given an impressive 7.9 rating against Villa, which was boosted by him winning nine duels and four of his seven tackles throughout the match.

The midfielder kept things ticking over for the Toffees, as his progressive passes were key in Moyes’ plan to counter-attack.

• Everton had 36% possession against Aston Villa
• The Toffees had nine shots to Villa’s 18
• Everton have now kept five clean sheets in their last six away games

While speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Alan Shearer and Richards were discussing Garner’s performance, while the former also heaped massive praise onto Moyes’ tactical setup for the showdown.

Shearer said: “How good was Garner? He was brilliant, wasn’t he?“

Richards replied: “Yeah, but I think he’s been a really good player for a while now. He played a little bit deeper, he can play further forward and have an effect. But I thought he was the best player on the pitch, along with [James] Tarkowski.”

Shearer said: “That was a Moyes masterclass, it had his stamp all over it, how organised they were and how everyone understood where they were and what they were doing. It was a brilliant performance.”

If Garner were to leave Everton this month, then the Toffees can kiss goodbye to any chances of securing European football.

But while he’s here, the ex-Man United man is already helping develop Everton’s replacement.

• Read more: Everton’s Thierno Barry transfer ‘reality’ revealed as striker debacle rumbles on

How can Garner get the best out of Harrison Armstrong?

Garner is quickly becoming Everton’s most important player, and his influence has only grown in the absence of Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye.

Moyes has had to chop and change his midfield with the likes of Merlin Rohl and Tim Iroegbunam both dropping in and out of starting lineups.

Everton recently recalled Harrison Armstrong from his loan with Preston North End in the Championship, and what a decision that could prove to be.

Armstrong was everywhere for the Blues against Villa, and he seems to be growing in confidence with each appearance.

The youngster is still a raw talent, and time will be needed, but Armstrong could be the perfect understudy for Garner, should the latter depart Merseyside soon.

Stay up to date this winter with our Everton transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at Hill Dickinson, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.

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