Match Preview: Everton vs Aston Villa (Premier League)
Published:
Fixture: Everton vs Aston Villa
Date: Wednesday, 15 January 2025
Kickoff Time: 19:30 (UTC)
Venue: Goodison Park
Team News
Everton
- Armando Broja: Knock (Doubtful).
- Dwight McNeil: Knee injury (Expected return: Mid-January 2025).
- James Garner: Back injury (Expected return: Late January 2025).
- Seamus Coleman: Muscle cramps (Short-term absence).
- Tim Iroegbunam: Foot injury (Expected return: Early February 2025).
- Youssef Chermiti: Muscle injury (Expected return: Late January 2025).
Aston Villa
- Diego Carlos: Foot injury (Doubtful).
- John McGinn: Hamstring injury (Expected return: Early February 2025).
- Pau Torres: Foot injury (Expected return: Late January 2025).
- Ross Barkley: Calf injury (Doubtful)
- Jadon Philogene: Knock (Doubtful)
Recent Form
Everton
Last 5 matches:
- Win: Everton 2-0 Peterborough
- Loss: Bournemouth 1–0 Everton
- Loss: Everton 0–2 Nottingham Forest
- Draw: Manchester City 1–1 Everton
- Draw: Everton 0–0 Chelsea
Key Insight: Everton have struggled to score, with no goals in three of their last five matches. However, their defensive resilience has seen them draw against strong opposition, including Chelsea and Manchester City.
West Ham
Last 5 matches:
- Win: Aston Villa 2-1 West Ham United
- Win: Aston Villa 2–1 Leicester City
- Draw: Aston Villa 2–2 Brighton & Hove Albion
- Loss: Newcastle United 3–0 Aston Villa
- Win: Aston Villa 2–1 Manchester City
Key Insight: Aston Villa’s attacking strength has shone through in victories over Leicester and West Ham, but defensive lapses have been exposed in their losses to Nottingham Forest and Newcastle.
Key Players to Watch
Everton
- Jordan Pickford: The Toffees’ captain and last line of defence, tasked with keeping Villa at bay.
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin: Everton’s primary attacking threat is vital for breaking Villa’s backline.
West Ham
- Ollie Watkins: Villa’s striker, offering both pace and clinical finishing.
- Leon Bailey: A dynamic winger who could exploit Everton’s defensive gaps.
Tactical Breakdown
Everton
Returning Manager David Moyes is expected to stick with a 4-2-3-1 formation, prioritising defensive solidity and looking to hit Villa on the counterattack. With limited goals in recent matches, Everton may rely on set-pieces and Calvert-Lewin’s aerial ability to cause an attacking threat.
Strengths:
- A compact defensive setup.
- Threat from set-pieces and counterattacks.
Weaknesses:
- Struggle to consistently score.
- Dependence on Calvert-Lewin for attacking output.
Aston Villa
Unai Emery’s side will deploy a 4-2-3-1 system, aiming to control possession and utilise wide areas. Villa’s midfield pairing of Kamara and Onana offers balance, while Bailey and Rogers provide creativity on the flanks. Watkins’ movement and finishing will be critical in breaking Everton’s defensive block.
Strengths:
- Strong attacking transitions.
- Midfield control and wide play.
Weaknesses:
- Occasional defensive lapses.
- Vulnerable to physical aerial duels.
Predicted Lineups
Everton (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
- Defenders: Vitalii Mykolenko, James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite, Ashley Young
- Midfielders: Orel Mangala, Idrissa Gueye, Abdoulaye Doucoure
- Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Iliman Ndiaye Jack Harrison
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martínez
- Defenders: Lucas Digne, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Matty Cash
- Midfielders: Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana
- Attacking Midfielders: Leon Bailey, Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers
- Forward: Ollie Watkins
What to Expect
Aston Villa are the slight favourites due to their superior attacking depth and form, but Everton’s defensive discipline at home could make it a tight contest. The Toffees will look to frustrate Villa, relying on counterattacks and set-pieces, while Villa’s attacking transitions could be decisive.
Score Prediction
Everton 0–1 Aston Villa:
Villa’s attacking cohesion, coupled with Everton’s struggles to score, should see the visitors edge a narrow victory.
ACCA Prediction
- Result: Aston Villa to Win
- Both Teams to Score: No
- Total Goals: Under 2.5
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Fun Fact
Aston Villa’s 4–0 victory over Everton in August 2023 remains their biggest win in this fixture since 2015 when Everton won by the same scoreline at Goodison Park.
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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.
