Everton are set to host Aston Villa in a crucial Premier League match, with both sides coming into this game with different ambitions. As David Moyes prepares to make his managerial debut for Everton at Goodison Park, there’s an air of expectancy and hope that he can steer the team away from the relegation zone.
Under the previous management of Sean Dyche, Everton were solid defensively but lacked the cutting edge up front, struggling to convert chances into goals. This has left them perilously close to the bottom three, and Moyes’ primary objective will be to enhance their attacking output. The absence of Dwight McNeil has been felt, and while the transfer window might offer a chance to strengthen, the immediate focus will be on optimising the performance of the current squad. Moyes is likely to tailor the tactics to play to the strengths of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who could be key in unlocking the Aston Villa defence.
Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, have faced challenges on the road, losing six of their last seven away matches across all competitions. Their fixtures have included tough outings against Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Newcastle United, amongst others. Although their loss to Club Brugge was unexpected, the quality within the squad, particularly in offensive areas, suggests they could pose a serious threat to Everton’s defence.
Villa’s recent defeats, though numerous, have often been close encounters, indicating that their luck could turn. Emery’s team will be keen to leverage their attacking prowess to overcome their poor away form and make a statement at Goodison Park.
This match represents a significant opportunity for both Everton and Aston Villa to shift their respective narratives this season, with Everton aiming to climb away from the drop zone and Aston Villa looking to correct their course away from home.
Everton
As Everton prepares to bid farewell to their historic Goodison Park, they find themselves at a critical juncture, not just in terms of location but in their Premier League survival stakes. The club’s new ownership has made a pivotal decision by bringing David Moyes back to the helm, replacing Sean Dyche, amid a backdrop of reported squad discontent and stagnation under the previous regime.
The announcement from Everton highlighted Dyche’s own admission that he had taken the squad as far as he could, setting the stage for Moyes to navigate the Toffees away from the relegation zone. Currently sitting 16th, just a single point above the relegation places, the urgency is palpable as they aim to secure their Premier League status ahead of moving into their new stadium—a key ambition of the club’s forward-looking ownership group.
Under Dyche, Everton were a hard team to break down but struggled to turn defensive solidity into victories, highlighted by their recent performances. A narrow victory against Peterborough United in the FA Cup provided a brief respite, but a subsequent 1-0 league defeat at Bournemouth and a lack of goals in the league—scoring just once in their last five matches—have intensified concerns. The Toffees’ once formidable home record was also dented with a 0-2 loss to Nottingham Forest, breaking a six-match unbeaten streak at Goodison Park.
Looking ahead to their clash with Aston Villa, Everton are hopeful of fielding Seamus Coleman and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, both pivotal in their quest for crucial points. However, they will be without Armando Broja, sidelined by a recent injury, while James Garner and Dwight McNeil are also racing against time to return this month.
In this critical fixture, Everton’s immediate challenge under Moyes will be to rejuvenate a faltering attack and secure vital points to steer clear of the drop zone, all while giving the old ground a fitting send-off in its final season.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa approach their Premier League clash with Everton buoyed by a robust FA Cup Third Round victory over West Ham United. Unai Emery, typically strategic about prioritising competitions, fielded a strong side in that encounter, reflecting his intent to harness cup success to inject momentum into the Villains’ league campaign.
Currently positioned 8th in the Premier League, just four points adrift of the top four, Aston Villa aim to capitalise on this phase of the season despite their congested schedule, which includes an extended Champions League Group Stage running into January. This adds a European dimension to their calendar, but the focus remains sharply on domestic affairs.
Despite boasting a modest away record of three wins, one draw, and five losses in the league—which has seen them concede 19 goals on their travels—Aston Villa have shown signs of resurgence. They have secured three victories in their last five outings across all competitions, with a notable Champions League triumph at Leipzig highlighting their potential.
The challenge for Emery and his squad is to transform their away form into a consistent strength. Their recent performances suggest a shift in momentum, yet sustaining it against a determined Everton will be crucial.
Personnel adjustments will play a role in their strategy for the upcoming match, with key players like Pau Torres, John McGinn, and Ross Barkley sidelined due to injuries. However, the return of Jhon Duran from suspension and the inclusion of stalwarts Emi Martinez and Diego Carlos in the travelling squad will bolster their lineup as they look to overcome their away game hurdles and climb closer to the league’s top echelons.
America Bet Match Winner Prediction
Aston Villa to Win
Aston Villa are tipped to secure victory against Everton in this fixture, primarily due to their recent resurgence in form and tactical acumen under Unai Emery. Despite a challenging away record, Villa’s performance in their last five matches across all competitions, including a significant win in the Champions League, demonstrates a newfound confidence and capability in turning around their previous inconsistencies on the road. With key players returning from suspensions and injuries, Aston Villa’s strengthened squad composition—especially the inclusion of vital defensive anchor Diego Carlos—should provide the stability needed to exploit Everton’s recent vulnerabilities, particularly their struggle to find the net. Everton, under new management and facing immense pressure to perform at Goodison Park, might find Aston Villa’s robust tactical setup and counter-attacking prowess too challenging to overcome in this crucial encounter.
America Bet Score Prediction
Everton 1 – 2 Aston Villa
Aston Villa is expected to edge out Everton with a 2-1 victory, reflecting their improving form and tactical flexibility under Unai Emery. Despite Everton’s desperation to impress under new management and the motivational boost of playing at Goodison Park, their chronic goal-scoring issues may continue to haunt them. Aston Villa’s recent performances, notably their away game resilience and the strategic depth provided by Emery, suggest they can exploit Everton’s defensive setup. Everton might find the back of the net, especially with the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin potentially making a significant impact, but Aston Villa’s overall quality and recent momentum, including their successes in Europe, should see them secure all three points in this encounter.
America Bet Betting Tips
- Aston Villa to win.
- Over 2.5 goals in the match.
- Both teams to score.
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin to score anytime.
- Aston Villa to win and both teams to score.
- First half draw.
- Aston Villa to score in both halves.
- Exact score: Everton 1 – 2 Aston Villa.
- Aston Villa to have more corners.
- Total cards over 3.5 in the match.
