“It has been a bit difficult. It makes a difference going into a settled team full of mates rather than an all-star team of strangers.

“City are trying to build a team, it is a new project, so it is a lot different here. The players are still getting to know each other, so it is something that is still building up.

“But everything was great right from the start here, the players made me feel really welcome. The fans, manager, everyone. I felt at home from the first moment I walked in.

“The players were great, really friendly and the spirit was as good as they told me. Two goals as well makes it the best possible welcome I could ever hope for.”

Jo earned the first-half penalty from which Mikel Arteta netted Everton’s opener, then opened his Goodison account with a well-taken turn and volley five minutes after the break.

Everton were then awarded another penalty in injury time and, with Arteta having been substituted, skipper Phil Neville ensured Jo had the chance to score his second from the spot.

“Phil told me that it was my prize for the work I had done,” said the Brazilian. “It was a really nice gesture of the captain to make.”

Meanwhile, Aston Villa will be without Gareth Barry for the FA Cup clash with Everton on Sunday.

Barry received his fifth booking of the season when celebrating Villa’s second goal in their win at Blackburn on Saturday.

Steven Pienaar is also banned for Everton, but Tim Cahill, Phil Neville, Mikel Arteta and Joleon Lescott all avoided fifth bookings in Saturday’s win over Bolton.