Aston Villa vs Everton: Agbonlahor to upstage Keane’s debut

All eyes may be on Robbie Keane as he is expected to make his Premier League debut, but Gabriel Agbonlahor has the capability of stealing the show and helping Aston Villa to victory over Everton.

With Darren Bent almost guaranteed a start and Agbonlahor hard to leave out after being one of Villa’s better players in recent weeks, Alex McLeish finds himself with a slight selection dilemma.

Keane could make his debut from the substitute’s bench, especially as he is short of match practice in recent weeks, but it is perhaps more likely that Marc Albrighton will make way and Agbonlahor will be moved into a wide position.

Agbonlahor enjoys playing against Everton more than any other club and he already has six career goals against them.

It is 7/1 that he opens the scoring or 9/4 he strikes at any time inside the 90 minutes.

Aston Villa have been dreadful at home of late, losing their last four at Villa Park, but can count Everton among their more favoured opposition.

Villa are unbeaten in their last 11 against the Toffees and with Everton being hit by a mass of injuries, they can claim a welcome three points.

Aston Villa’s odds are 7/5 to beat Everton, while the draw can be backed at 9/4 and this has been the result in five of their last six encounters.

But with Villa largely struggling for results and slipping down the Premier League standings, Everton may be confident of ending their winless streak against them.

Everton are 15/8 in the Premier League betting to claim a win that would probably see them climb back into the top half of the table.

Among the standout bets is the 3/1 on offer that Aston Villa triumph by a single-goal margin.