Aston Villa vs Everton
Back in the Premier League after a three-year absence, Friday night football in the top flight with a buzzing Holte End is what Aston Villa fans must have dreamed of these past three years.
Relegation in 2016 hurt and one of English football’s greatest names were in dire straits financially as recently as last year: their very future existence at the top level under threat.
Now back under the impressive guidance of Dean Smith, Villa have smartly, although not frugally, recruited as they bid to become an established Premier League club once again.
Yet, despite producing some early Premier League highlights – they exploited Spurs on the counterattack for spells of their opening match of the season and improved as their first home game of the campaign against Bournemouth wore on – Villa are two games in and without a solitary point.
Conceding a penalty inside 46 seconds last week didn’t help but fans need not abandon hope as the visit of Marco Silva and Everton represents another opportunity to make that new-found optimism count.
Everton have four points from their first two games as they followed up a goalless draw at Crystal Palace with a 1-0 home success over Watford.
In theory, they could briefly go top if they win at Villa Park but the Toffees will know this is far from a straightforward task.
Talking Points
It’s been a busy week at Villa Park with the club reportedly agreeing to bring West Brom goalkeeping coach Mark Naylor to the club, as well as confirming head of football development Kevin MacDonald had departed following an investigation into allegations of bullying.
All eyes will be on the players though this weekend.
There will be no Villa debut for new signing Kortney Hause, who is still receiving treatment for an ankle injury. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers defender is joined on the sidelines by fellow centre-back James Chester, with the Welshman nursing a thigh problem.
Smith is also deprived of the services of forward Jonathan Kodjia. He had a busy summer at the African Cup of Nations and an ankle knock prevents the 29-year-old from involvement.
Former Villa man Fabian Delph is yet to make his Everton bow competitively.
The England international is struggling with a groin strain but faces a fitness test, as do Lucas Digne and Leighton Baines.
Morgan Schneiderlin is available again after serving a one-game suspension.
Should the Blues come away from Villa Park having conceded no goals it will be the first time since the 1912/13 season that they have kept three clean sheets in the opening three games of a top-flight campaign.
History
As two bastions of English football, Villa and Everton have met on many occasions over the course of history. The overall record is well balanced, with the latter collecting two more wins than their opponents, who have secured the victory 80 times.
The club’s last meeting came on March 1, 2016. Goals from Ramiro Funes Mori, Aaron Lennon and Romelu Lukaku blew Villa away inside an hour before Rudy Gestede grabbed a late consolation.
Coinciding with Villa’s decline, Everton have enjoyed the better of their clashes in the last decade, winning five of the past six and only defeated twice in their most recent 16.
In 2015, Villa edged a five-goal thriller at Villa Park, courtesy of goals from Christian Benteke (two) and Tom Cleverley.
That game aside, they haven’t beaten Everton since 2010 when Luke Young’s early goal provide decisive.
It was the turn of the century, believe it or not when Villa last completed a league double over Everton.
Paul Merson scored a last gasp goal at Goodison Park in November 2000, before winning the return fixture the following April 2-1, thanks to Dion Dublin and Ian Taylor. David Unsworth replied for the Toffees.
Betting Tip
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Aston Villa vs Everton | Over 2.75 goals @ 2.05 |
| August 24, 03:00 (GMT+8) |
The SBOBET Premier League betting odds back the Merseysiders 1X2 @ 2.21 with Villa priced @ 3.15 and the draw @ 3.35.
One that caught my eye strongly was Asian Handicap 0.00 Everton @ 2.40, although fans of Silva’s boys will fancy Asian Handicap -0.50 Everton @ 2.21.
A repeat of their last meeting – a 3-1 success for Everton – will offer you odds of @ 17.50.
Everton have yet to concede in the league this season, have kept five clean sheets in a row at Goodison Park and have recorded an impressive 10 shut-outs in their last 13 league matches.
After two successive clean sheets, I don’t think Everton will keep Villa out, no for vice versa for that matter.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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