Aston Villa vs Everton Preview

• Villa to win
• Duran to score

Aston Villa head into this clash with confidence, having dominated their meetings with Everton since their promotion back to the Premier League in 2019.

Villa are unbeaten in all ten league head-to-heads (H2Hs) during that time (W7, D3), which will have Unai Emery’s side feeling optimistic about their chances of securing three points at Villa Park.

Aston Villa have had a steady start to the new Premier League season (W2, L1) and will be hoping to build on their momentum after the international break.

With a remarkable record of winning each of their last five games after an international break, the Midlands club will be expected to return to action with a bang.

However, Emery may have one eye on Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League clash against Young Boys, Villa’s first-ever match in the competition, which could influence his team selection for this fixture.

Everton’s Struggles Continue

Everton, on the other hand, have endured a difficult start to the new Premier League season, losing all three of their opening matches.

Their most recent defeat was a heartbreaker, as they let a 2-0 lead slip at home to Bournemouth, conceding three goals in the final nine minutes to lose 3-2.

This latest collapse added to the pressure on Sean Dyche, with his team now having lost three consecutive league matches.

In fact, Everton are dangerously close to matching an unwanted club record for consecutive losses at the start of a league campaign.

You’d have to go all the way back to the 1958/59 season for the last time the Toffees started with more than three successive losses (six that season).

Despite Dyche’s poor managerial record in the month of August—he has now lost all six games in charge of Everton during this month—his teams tend to improve in September.

Notably, Dyche has only lost one of his last four top-flight away games as a manager in September (W1, D2), with that defeat ironically coming against Everton while managing Burnley in 2021.

Players to Watch

Jhon Duran (Aston Villa)

Jhon Duran has made a big impact for Villa this season, scoring the decisive goal in both of their league victories.

Duran also found the back of the net in last season’s corresponding fixture, coming off the bench to score Villa’s fourth goal in a 4-0 win. His energy and finishing ability make him a key player to watch in this fixture.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)

Calvert-Lewin has struggled with injuries in recent seasons but remains a key attacking outlet for Everton.

He scored after the break against Bournemouth, continuing a trend of scoring late in matches. Four of his last five away goals, including one at Villa Park in the Carabao Cup last season, have come after half-time, making him a dangerous threat late in the game.

Conclusion

Aston Villa will be looking to extend their unbeaten run against Everton and continue their solid start to the Premier League season.

With a Champions League match looming, Emery may rotate his squad, but Villa’s strong home form and confidence after the international break make them the favourites.

Everton, meanwhile, are desperate to stop the rot after three straight losses, but their defensive frailties and lack of consistency could see them struggle again.

Prediction: Aston Villa to secure a comfortable win, although Everton could provide a late challenge if Calvert-Lewin gets on the scoresheet.

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Aston Villa v Everton, 2024/25 | Premier League