Everton’s tough winter continues with a tricky journey to Aston Villa – a similar-sized workforce who, in contrast to the Toffees, have proven what could be accomplished with sizeable however well-placed funding.
Accidents, fatigue, suspensions, lack of kind and worldwide obligation have caught up with the Toffees, who’ve now gained simply as soon as in seven video games in all competitions.
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Final weekend’s FA Cup defeat in opposition to Sunderland was significantly grim. The Black Cats didn’t have to be something greater than strong in opposition to a patched-up Everton workforce and deserved to win over 90 minutes. A stroke of luck with a tender penalty provided the Blues a lifeline they didn’t take, ending hopes of a trophy for one more season.
Drab performances and outcomes have solely amplified different frustrations, together with the stadium environment, Moyes’ techniques and lack of exercise within the switch market. These issues are all reliable, however they are going to really feel extra manageable if outcomes begin to enhance.
Sadly, the lengthy listing of absentees is unlikely to scale back earlier than Sunday’s sport, that means David Moyes should cobble collectively an XI that may in some way tackle a workforce completely flying on the different finish of the desk.
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The house match in opposition to Leeds eight days later, by which era Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye will certainly be again, with others doubtlessly in rivalry, feels just like the reset second to jump-start a flagging season into life.
The opposition
It’s almost precisely 10 years since Everton final beat Aston Villa within the league – a 3-1 victory at Villa Park in February 2016.
Villa had been backside and sinking like a stone, Everton had simply been taken over by Farhad Moshiri and had been dreaming of the Champions League. When you had requested which membership would have achieved that dream by 2025, I doubt many would have stated Villa. However right here we’re.
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Unai Emery’s aspect go into the sport in third, seven factors behind leaders Arsenal (although that would change after the Gunners’ match in opposition to Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening).
The stats make grim studying for Evertonians.
Villa haven’t misplaced in opposition to Everton in 13 video games since being promoted again to the Premier League in 2019, have gained every of the final 4 conferences at Villa Park and have stored a clear sheet in eight of the final 10 conferences. The final of these was a goalless draw at Hill Dickinson Stadium in September, the place Everton had been unfortunate to not take all three factors in opposition to a Villa aspect that started the season badly, failing to win and even rating of their opening 4 matches.
Oh, and did I point out that is essentially the most performed league fixture in English soccer? 216 and counting…
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Earlier assembly
Everton 0–0 Aston Villa, 13 September 2025
Everton had the higher of a largely dour encounter however did not make their dominance rely via a mix of poor ending, poor fortune and nice goalkeeping. Sound acquainted?
Group information
Jack Grealish is again to face his boyhood membership after serving a one-game ban, however he’s the one new face set to return.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor, Charly Alcaraz and Tim Iroegbunam are nonetheless injured. Jarrad Branthwaite and Seamus Coleman are again in mild coaching however not able to return, whereas Michael Keane serves the second sport of his three-match ban.
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Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye are making ready for Senegal’s AFCON closing in opposition to Morocco on Sunday.
Last phrase
The whole lot, and I imply every thing, factors in the direction of a house win on this one, regardless of Everton’s first rate report on the street.
Soccer all the time has the capability to shock, however I don’t suppose we’ll see it right here.