Everton host Aston Villa in another crucial game at Goodison Park, with the Blues looking to build on two consecutive home wins since the arrival of Sean Dyche.
Victory over relegation rivals Leeds United last weekend moved the club out of the bottom three and, coupled with the win over Arsenal in Dyche’s debut in the home dugout, sparked renewed hope Everton can climb away from trouble.
Unai Emery’s Villa side visit Merseyside on the back of three defeats in a row but having caused league leaders Arsenal problems last weekend and with striker Ollie Watkins having scored in his last four matches. Ahead of the match, Alfie Harrison caught up with Birmingham Live’s dedicated Villa correspondent Ashley Preece to find out whether the Midlands side is currently vulnerable or could provide a sting as they travel north.
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AH: Firstly I want to hear from an opposition point of view, how do you think Aston Villa’s season has gone so far and where do you think you’ll finish this season under Unai Emery?
AP: Let’s split it into two parts. The first few months were pretty disastrous under Steven Gerrard with the ex-Red failing to get a tune out of his players with Villa spiralling towards a relegation battle. In came Emery and the upturn in results and performances was staggering. Results have evened out a little over the past few weeks given Villa’s run of three-straight defeats to Leicester, Man City and Arsenal. It’d be pretty sobering if Villa were to lose four on the spin up at Goodison. The aim for Villa now is to secure their first top-10 finish since 2011. I feel they might just finish below that in 11th.
AH: How do you feel about going into this game on Saturday? Despite losing three consecutive games this calendar month, two of them being to the top two teams in the league, Villa could extend their unbeaten Goodison streak to four games at Goodison Park if they pick up anything this weekend.
AP: Goodison has been a happy hunting ground for Villa in recent seasons. We’ve won our last two there while Villa are unbeaten against the Toffees since March 2016. Everton last beat Villa at Goodison way back in November 2015 so you could say we’re a bit of a bogey team. I’m hoping that’s the case and for the Sean Dyche bubble to burst on Saturday.
AH: Ollie Watkins has scored four goals in four games. Is it fair to say that is he the most inform player currently for Aston Villa?
AP: He’s not just the most in-form player at Villa, he’s probably only behind Rashford for being the most in-form forward in the Premier League. Only Rashford and Haaland have scored more than Watkins since the World Cup break. He’s on fire at the minute and I fancy him to score again on Saturday.
AH: With already having Ollie Watkins leading the line and banging in goals for fun, are there any other key players for Aston Villa that could hurt Everton?
AP: Everton fans will give Coutinho another warm welcome, I’m sure, but he’s really improved in the last few weeks and is pushing for another start. John McGinn was on form last week as well. This game will suit a McGinn-type. The midfielder will probably give Dyche stick for his coat again!
AH: With Everton picking up six points out of a possible nine under Sean Dyche in the last three weeks, Is this the best time to play Aston Villa due to their current form recently?
AP: I’d say so, yeah. Villa will be coming into this one under a lot of pressure given it’s three defeats on the spin. Emery was furious with his players last week given their collapse against Arsenal so it’s down to the players to respond. No pressure!
AH: With Coutinho back in with a goal in his little cameo against Arsenal last week, do you see him have a place in the starting XI on Saturday or will he be more of an impact player from the bench?
AP: A tough decision because he has been playing well. I do remember him really struggling at Goodison last season (didn’t have a kick) so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s taken out of the XI. We’ll see. He is a luxury player.
AH: Has the former Everton player Lucas Digne hit the spotlight with any Villa fans and yourself during his 13 months at the club?
AP: He’s been pretty average overall. Villa fans would expect a little bit more given the, what, £25m outlay on him last year. He’s been decent in some games but, of late, has lost his starting shirt to new signing Alex Moreno who arrived from Betis for £12m. I think Digne will be on the bench again.
AH: Where are Aston Villa’s weak points that Everton could possibly pounce on this weekend?
AP: Mistakes! Villa have shipped 11 goals in their last three games and most of them have been individual errors. Villa like to play out from the back and, if Everton press well from the front, a chance might be forthcoming.
AH: Is there any team/Injury news for Aston Villa?
Villa are fine injury-wise. They’re just missing Diego Carlos (achilles) and Jed Steer (achilles). It’s a full-strength squad other than that with Bertrand Traore returning to the squad last week following a knee injury.
AP: What is your predicted 11 ahead of the Everton game?
I think Emery might stick with the XI vs Arsenal, 4-4-2: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Moreno; McGinn, Kamara, Douglas Luiz, Coutinho; Buendia, Watkins.
AH: Lastly your score predictions ahead of the game?
AP: With my claret and blue specs on, it’ll be a 0-1 away win. Watkins to score.
AH: With Aston Villa loving to play across the back line, Neal Maupay would be the ideal striker to keep the pressure on. I thought Sean Dyche was very clever with his approach against Leeds, with Maupay playing for 80 minutes and bringing on fresh legs in Ellis Simms, who had more of an influence coming off the bench. I felt quite sorry for Simms in the derby defeat due to him being to isolated. Set pieces could be huge for Everton because Villa have conceded 32% of their goals from them this season and we have all seen the threat James Tarkowski has posed under Dyche. I’m going with 1-0 to Everton.
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