Everton head to Aston Villa on Saturday with Sean Dyche's men having suffered three heavy defeats so far this season. a 3-0 defeat to Brighton, 4-0 loss to Spurs and 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth has raised more questions about their defensive frailties, something that Dyche was originally brought in to address. With the side leaking goals there is a good chance that another big loss this weekend could see the former Burnley gaffer get the sack.
Match Preview
Aston Villa have had a much better start to the season, with last year's fourth-place side winning two out of their opening three games with their 2-0 loss to Arsenal being their only blip so far.
Everton are massively struggling, and with Amadou Onana and Jhon Durán finding the net pretty consistently they will be up against it again this weekend.
Aston Villa Recent Form
As noted, Villa have had a decent start to their season with two wins out of three. There is a good chance that they will start to flag when their Champions League matches come in and they need to play more in midweek, but right now Unai Emery has been leading a side that continues to play attractive football domestically.
Injury and team news
Villa have a lot of players on the sideline, with Boubacar Kamara (Knee), Tyrone Mings (Knee), Matty Cash, Diego Carlos, Leon Bailey (Hamstring), Ollie Watkins (Knock), Jaden Philogene (Knock) and Ezri Konsa (Knock) all reportedly out.
Last Aston Villa Lineup
Here is how the team lined up for their last match:
Everton Recent Form
Everton are rock bottom of the Premier League table after three losses from three, with the side leaking goals left right and centre. Sean Dyche's men need to desperately find a way to stop
Injury and team news
Everton are also without certain players, with Nathan Patterson (Hamstring), Jarrad Branthwaite (Groin), Youssef Chermiti (Foot) and Armando Broja (Foot) all reportedly sidelined.
Last Everton Lineup
Here is how the team lined up for their last match:
Villa vs Everton - who is the referee and VAR?
Here are the confirmed on field Referees and VAR for the game:
Referee: Craig Pawson
Assistants: Simon Bennett, Dan Robathan
Fourth official: David Webb
VAR: David Coote
Assistant VAR: Sian Massey-Ellis
Aston Villa Player To Watch
Despite not having a great international break, Amadou Onana has started season strongly for Villa having already nabbed two goals. His presence in the middle could cause a lot of issues for Everton and he'll be trying to dictate the game again here.
Everton Player To Watch
Despite the Toffees losing their last game Dominic Calvert-Lewin managed to bag himself the Player of the Match plaudits. Everton will be looking to him once again to find the back of the net to finally get their campaign going.
Prediction
Villa are flying high and Everton are playing like a side that are already looking like relegation favourites, so it is difficult to see anything beyond a win for Unai Emery's men here.
Our Prediction: Aston Villa 2 - 0 Everton
Betting Tips
Tip 1
Aston Villa to win and Total goals over 2.5
Logic: Aston Villa are 14 places and 6 points ahead of Everton. Everton have lost 4 of their last 6 away games. Over 2 goals have been scored in 4 of Aston Villa's last 6 home games, and similarly in 4 of Everton's last 6 away games.
Tip 2
Aston Villa to win and Both teams to score
Logic: Aston Villa have scored and conceded in 5 of their last 6 home games. Everton have scored in 4 and conceded in 6 of their last 6 away games.
Tip 3
Total goals over 2.5 and Both teams to score
Logic: Both teams have seen over 2 goals in recent matches. Aston Villa have scored and conceded in 5 of their last 6 home games, and Everton have similar stats for their away games.
