Everton vs Aston Villa tips and predictions: Toffees to feel wrath of improbable title contenders
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery
Aston Villa’s unprecedented bid for the top four continues this weekend as Unai Emery’s men take on an out-of-form Everton side.
Last year was truly a remarkable one for the Villans who accumulated a total of 85 points during the 2023 calendar year.
Forty-two of those points have come during this ongoing campaign – enough to keep Villa in second-place heading into the final 18 games of the season.
Emery’s men are just three points away from league leaders Liverpool, though the very idea of Villa potentially challenging for the title is yet to compute in our minds.
Interestingly, with the Red not in action until the following week, Villa could go level on points with Jurgen Klopp’s side should they beat Everton.
Speaking of the Toffees, the holiday period certainly didn’t bring them much joy.
Sean Dyche and his side are winless in five games across all competitions, losing four and drawing once.
Three of those defeats have come in the Premier League, with Everton now looking to avoid a fourth straight loss for the first time since March 2022.
Everton may have home advantage, though considering their recent record, it’s hard to find an actual ‘advantage’.
Villa have won their last three visits to Goodison Park and have only suffered four defeats in 15 encounters at the ground.
Emery’s men have suffered just one defeat in 13 games across all competitions. With that in mind, we’re backing the visitors to continue their fine run of form and bag the win.
Villa to pick up all three points and both teams to score is our nap ahead of this intriguing Premier League clash.
Team news
Everton continue to be without Dele Alli and Ashley Young. Dwight McNeil and Abdoulaye Doucoure are also expected to be on the sidelines. Idrissa Gueye, on the other hand, is on international duty.
Villa, meanwhile, are without Emiliano Buendia, Lucas Digne, Tyrone Mings and Robin Olsen. Youri Tielemans and Pau Torres are both doubts, while Bertrand Traore is away at AFCON.
Key stats
- Everton have lost their last three Premier League home games against Aston Villa
- Aston Villa won 85 points in the Premier League in 2023, second only to Manchester City (93)
- Everton are looking to avoid losing four straight Premier League games for the first time since March 2022
