Build-a-bet: Everton vs Aston Villa
- Andy Schooler
- 17 September 2021
Planet Sport betting writer Andy Schooler picks out his top selections for a build-a-bet in the clash between Everton and Aston Villa.
Demarai Gray anytime scorer
Total goals under 3.5
First-half goals under 1.5
Everton's Demarai Gray anytime scorer
The loss of Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the next few weeks is a big blow to Everton.
Rafael Benitez has very much built his team around the England centre forward with a clear plan of getting early balls into him, particularly from wide areas.
It worked in the early matches but it was notable that when he was missing for the first time on Monday against Burnley, the Blues really struggled.
That was partly due to Benitez changing his side's formation - again due to that DCL injury - and there was definitely a lack of cohesion in their unfamiliar 3-4-3 line-up.
Maybe he'll opt to revert to four at the back and play new signing Salomon Rondon in Calvert-Lewin's position, although the Venezuelan may still be deemed not sharp enough.
Whoever plays up front, Everton's goal threat is weaker without Calvert-Lewin. They frankly got out of jail against Burnley when they came from 1-0 down to win 3-1 thanks to a golden seven-minute spell in which they scored all three goals, including a wonder-strike from Andros Townsend.
One of them went to Demarai Gray, who is proving to be a bargain buy for Everton so far.
Picked up for just £1.6million from Bayer Leverkusen, the former Leicester man has now scored in his last three games and will certainly be looked upon to increase that tally in the absence of his team's main goal-getter.
He looks a big price at 15/4 to score again here.
Given that, I'm happy to add him to my Build-a-Bet selection, although I'm not expecting loads of goals.
Everton vs Aston Villa: Total goals under 3.5
Everton's first-half display against Burnley was pretty toothless so the loss of Calvert-Lewin is a serious concern, especially when you also consider Villa's defence hasn't been that bad - only five teams have given up more shots on their goal.
Burnley didn't defend well on Monday during the Everton comeback but Villa can do better on that front which is why under 3.5 goals can also be added.
That's been the case in Villa's last three games, including at high-flying Chelsea.
Everton vs Aston Villa: First-half goals under 1.5
To complete a near - 10/1 shot, under 1.5 first-half goals also looks worth a play.
It's nearly always odds-on, but for good reason. Three of Everton's four games thus far have landed this bet with Monday's game with Burnley being goalless at the break.
Villa have only scored five times so far as they adapt to life without Jack Grealish so all things considered, this looks a decent price.
