Everton vs Aston Villa: Match Preview
Everton are set to face Aston Villa in a classic Saturday 3pm kickoff. This 215th edition of the most-played fixture in English top flight will be held at Hill Dickinson Stadium, marking the Toffees' third competitive match there.
A Season of Optimism for Everton
After a difficult period, Evertonians are feeling more optimistic than they have in a long time, eager to return to club football after the international break. This contrasts sharply with the situation 12 months ago, when a painful 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth after leading 2-0 left fans demoralized. A similar collapse against Aston Villa followed, sending their season spiraling.
Now, a thrilling 3-2 victory at Wolves has ignited excitement. While realism remains, there's a sense that this season will be different, characterized by a more vibrant and attacking style of play. The last time Everton boasted such attacking talent was at the start of the 2020-21 season.
Years of financial pressure had stripped the team of creativity, almost costing them their Premier League status. But now, the rebuild seems to be progressing well.
Grealish: The New Hero?
Evertonians crave a hero, and in Jack Grealish, they may have found one. His impact as a loan player has been compared to that of Kevin Campbell, and he's already secured a Premier League Player of the Month award.
While cautious optimism prevails, fans know that good news is often followed by setbacks. However, even if losses occur, there's a hope that the journey will be enjoyable.
The Opposition: Aston Villa
There are similarities between Everton and Aston Villa, both founding members of the Football League with comparable fanbases and trophy collections. Both clubs have experienced highs and lows in recent years, with Villa's being more extreme.
Villa suffered relegation after a disastrous 2015-16 season, while Everton narrowly avoided the drop. After two failed promotion attempts, Villa finally returned to the Premier League. Following a narrow escape from relegation in the 2019-20 season and a brief stint with Steven Gerrard as manager, Unai Emery's arrival in late 2022 dramatically changed their fortunes.
Under Emery, Villa invested heavily but wisely, securing Champions League qualification. However, like Everton, they face challenges related to PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules), which have limited their summer spending. A UEFA charge also loomed. Despite these issues, Villa have a strong recent record against Everton, remaining unbeaten since their promotion in 2019 and winning their last three away games without conceding.
A key narrative will be Grealish facing his boyhood club, four years after his £100 million move to Manchester City. He's been booed by Villa fans before and will likely face a hostile reception, although many appreciate his contributions, particularly during their time in the Championship.
Previous Meeting
Everton 0–1 Aston Villa – 15 January 2025
David Moyes' second spell in charge began with a defeat as Ollie Watkins secured the win for Villa. However, Everton's form soon improved.
Team News
Iliman Ndiaye is doubtful after an injury on international duty. Vitalii Mykolenko faces a late fitness test. Jarrad Branthwaite remains sidelined. Adam Aznou and Nathan Patterson are back in training but not yet ready for a first-team return.
Final Word
The stage is set for an intriguing encounter between Everton and Aston Villa, with both teams looking to build momentum after contrasting starts to the season. The return of Jack Grealish to Villa Park adds an extra layer of intrigue to this classic Premier League fixture.
