Aston Villa welcome Everton on Sunday, aiming to cement their place in the Premier League top four and secure a club-record 12th consecutive home win in all competitions.The Villains remain formidable...
Aston Villa welcome Everton on Sunday, aiming to cement their place in the Premier League top four and secure a club-record 12th consecutive home win in all competitions.
The Villains remain formidable on home soil despite their title charge dissipating.
Villa face an Everton team that has quietly improved away from home but arrives stretched by injuries and absences.
With the Villans unbeaten in 13 Premier League meetings against the Toffees and having won 8/10 league games at Villa Park this season, confidence is high in B6.
Match preview
Villa sit third in the table on 43 points, seven adrift of leaders Arsenal, but still firmly in the Champions League conversation.
A goalless draw at Crystal Palace and a defeat to Arsenal ended an eight-game league winning run.
However, Unai Emery’s side responded impressively with a 2-1 FA Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Their home form is remarkable. The Villains have won 11 straight matches at Villa Park across all competitions.
Meanwhile, Everton sit 12th, competitive but inconsistent.
Toffees boss David Moyes has ensured improved organisation, particularly away from home, but their attacking output remains limited.
This trip has historically been one of their toughest fixtures, and it will be the same later today.
Match stats
The Birmingham-based club are unbeaten in their last 13 Premier League matches against Everton (W9, D4).
They have kept more clean sheets against the Toffees than any other opponent in the competition.
The Villans have won eight of their last ten home league matches this season and are on an eight-game Premier League winning streak at Villa Park.
Morgan Rogers leads the Villains for both goals and assists in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Ollie Watkins remains a threat with his movement even when not scoring freely.
Everton have won three of their last five away league games but have lost each of their previous four visits to Villa Park.
Team news
The Villains are managing several fitness concerns ahead of Sunday’s clash.
Boubacar Kamara has been ruled out after suffering a knee injury, while Ross Barkley remains sidelined. Amadou Onana is also unavailable due to a muscle issue.
Emiliano Martinez is touch and go with a calf problem, but Villa are hopeful the Argentine will be fit enough to start.
Evann Guessand has returned from the Africa Cup of Nations and bolsters Emery’s attacking options following Donyell Malen’s recent exit.
Ollie Watkins is expected to be restored to the starting XI after being rotated in the FA Cup, with Rogers continuing in his influential role between the lines.
Lamare Bogarde, who’s playing with confidence, should anchor midfield, helped by the mercurial Youri Tielemans.
Aston Villa predicted XI (4-2-3-1)
Category: General Sports
