Moyes expects AJ to learn from England experience

14 April 2012

Everton boss David Moyes believes Andrew Johnson can only learn from his experiences after being part of England's much-criticised Euro 2008 qualifiers.

The Everton top scorer played in both matches against Israel and Andorra, having finally broken into the England set-up.

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Picking up tips: Andy Johnson chats to Terry Venables during an England training session

And it will be Johnson that Moyes will be hoping can continue to spearhead the Toffees' surge into Europe when they face Aston Villa in the midlands on Monday.

The Merseyside club have lost just one league game in the last 12, and are confident they can hang onto at least their current sixth spot in the Barclays Premiership.

Now Moyes feels that Johnson will have learned a lot by playing international football, which will be of benefit to Everton.

He said: "Andy handled things well. He did as well as anybody against Israel and against Andorra in that first half he looked the most likely to score. He had shots saved and one just over.

"He didn't do any worse than anyone else, I was happy for him. But it is a new sort of pressure, there is a bigger pressure than even what he has had to handle with us this season."

He added: "But people want to play for their country, that won't change. But you get into the international team by playing well for your club side and he has been doing that for Everton.

"He deserved his call-up. His main attribute is his pace and getting in behind defences, and that was made very hard by how deep Andorra defended.

"That is something coming into modern football, they are not on the half-way line with space to run into behind them.

"But you still can slide passes through the middle to players who are quick on the turn. And Andy is certainly that.

"He was almost clear once but was pulled down. You do get opportunities like that so you need pace and quickness of mind, and he certainly has that.

"And when teams play deep you need a big player to toss the ball into, that could also help the support player like Andy. But England didn't have that. It was all down to Andy virtually on his own."

Everton are expected to field the side that beat Arsenal a fortnight ago, which means youngster James Vaughan will continue up front alongside Johnson.

Everton's players on international duty did not pick up any further injuries, with Moyes only now missing James McFadden, Tim Cahill and Nuno Valente from his squad, all suffering long-term problems.

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