It was a disappointing Tuesday evening for English footballs pre-season programme, with Everton beaten at Stoke and Aston Villa coming off second best at home to Real Sociedad. Table of ContentsStoke City 1-0 EvertonAston Villa 2-4 Real SociedadStoke City 1-0 EvertonDavid Moyes Everton were beaten for the first time this pre-season as a goal from Stokes Kelly condemned them to defeat at the bet365 Stadium.Everton started brightly and looked the sharper side in the opening stages. New signings Tyrique George and Hayden Hackney showed encouraging signs in the first half, with George heading narrowly wide early on and linking well with Kieran Dewsbury-Hall on the left. Goalkeeper Matt Travers, deputising for the first team, was in fine form at the other end, making sharp stops to deny Gallagher and Thomas before tipping a Stoke effort onto the bar as the hosts finished the half strongly.The second half was more even without producing many clear openings, before Stoke broke the deadlock when a misplaced pass from Evertons OBrien released Kelly, who curled a composed finish into the far corner. Moyes immediately emptied his bench, making six changes at once, but Everton could not find an equaliser. OBrien rattled the crossbar from a late corner, but the Potters held on.Aston Villa 2-4 Real SociedadUnai Emery cut a frustrated figure on the touchline as Villa were beaten at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium by a Real Sociedad side missing several senior internationals.George Hemmings gave Villa an early lead with a well-taken cross-shot, and teenager Brian Madjo equalised after 56 minutes to make it 2-2. But Carlos Soler, Orri Oskarsson, Gorka Carrera and Inaki Ruperez all scored for the La Liga side as Villas makeshift defensive shape was repeatedly exposed.Emery was notably animated throughout, struggling to get his instructions across to younger players including Hemmings and Luka Lynch. The Europa League holders remain without their World Cup contingent, Watkins, Martinez, Konsa, McGinn, Lindelof and new record signing Johan Manzambi all absent. Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Real Madrid 4-1 Leganes: Los Blancos continue pre-season preperations with another win Mitch Fretton 28th July, 2026 Hearts 0-2 Sturm Graz (0-6 agg): Scottish runners-up fall into Europa League qualifying Mitch Fretton 28th July, 2026 Vinicius Junior set to stay at Real Madrid amid Arsenal interest Mitch Fretton 28th July, 2026 Cucurella shows off new tattoo after winning World Cup and bids farewell to Chelsea Mitch Fretton 28th July, 2026 Manchester City forward informs club of desire to leave Nicholas McGee 28th July, 2026 Alonso sees value in Chelseas 10-goal pre-season thriller Mitch Fretton 28th July, 2026
