Premier League: Villa Park Mismatch May Be Closer Than You Think

Aston Villa vs Everton

If this Premier League encounter was a boxing bout, it would be—on current form—billed as something of a mismatch.

In the claret corner, an opponent on the crest of a wave; in the blue corner, a fighter whose levels have plummeted to what critics have described as abject and woeful.

Yet Premier League highlights have a capacity to cause a surprise when least expected and, with Aston Villa preparing for a trip to Europe’s top table for the first time in more than 40 years, perhaps this is a chance for Everton to turn the form book on its head.

 

Talking Points

Of course, some people may think I am being naive in suggesting that and, on the face of it, I can see why.

The opener defeat to Brighton was a setback but could have been different; the reverse at Spurs when they barely had enough players to fill a subs’ bench could not have been different; and the last-gasp defeat at home to Bournemouth was as avoidable as it was shocking and a ‘new low’ in many regards as they somehow contrived to allow a two goal lead in the 86^th minute become a stoppage-time defeat.
Talk about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Three games into the new season and it’s like nothing has changed and there is chaos at every turn.

However, we have been here before with the Toffees.

Only last season, Sean Dyche and his men stared adversity hard and long straight back in the face and displayed a real character to epitomise what the club is all about.

And they can do so again.

It’s not helped that a number of their absentees are not ready to return.

Highly-coveted defender Jarrad Branthwaite is yet to play a minute this term after struggling with a groin issue throughout pre-season and remains a few weeks away.

Meanwhile, deadline day loan signing Armando Broja is not expected to make his Everton debut until at least October, with the 23 year-old Albanian international currently sidelined with an ankle injury.

In addition, captain Seamus Coleman is a doubt. He picked up a knock during Ireland’s Nations League clash with England last Friday and was forced to withdraw from the squad and return to his club for assessment.

The hosts have a few issues themselves as well.

Centre-half Ezri Konsa featured for England on Tuesday night, but his evening was cut short when he limped off the pitch with an injury on the hour mark.

Likewise, Leon Bailey is a major doubt after suffering a hamstring injury in the win against Leicester City, forcing his withdrawal from the Jamaica squad.

Ollie Watkins was sent back to the club by the England medical staff to assess an ‘ongoing issue’ and full-back Matty Cash has a thigh injury.

Despite all this, Villa are a club going places; Unai Emery has no desire to rest on his laurels, supported by their aggressive but strategic approach to the transfer market, which included snapping up Belgian midfielder Amadou Onana from Everton.

Emery, the manager of the season for me last term, did not sign a five-year contract extension until 2029 to tread water so a trip to Villa Park will hardly have the pulses racing for Evertonians hoping to get some points on the board.
Make no mistake, though, it will only be natural for the home side to have one eye on their immediate return to Europe’s top competition for the first time in 41 years.

Given all of that, this teatime encounter may be closer than you think.

 

History

As two bastions of English football, Villa and Everton have met on many occasions over the course of history. The overall record is well balanced, with the former collecting four more victories than their opponents, who have secured the win 83 times.

There have also been 61 draws.

It was 2016 when Everton last completed a league double over Villa, whilst last season’s three meetings saw the spoils shared out.

In this corresponding fixture, two goals in the opening 24 minutes put the home side on their way to a 4-0 rout with John McGinn, Douglas Luiz (penalty), Leon Bailey and Jhon Durán the marksmen as Villa won a fifth straight league encounter against Everton for the first time.

A month later the Toffees returned to Villa Park in the League Cup and won 2-1 with James Garner and Dominic Calvert-Lewin on target before Boubacar Kamara pulled one back.

A goalless draw followed in the return league encounter at Goodison Park in January.

 

Betting Tip

After such contrasting starts to the season, you can see why very few people will back Everton.

The SBOTOP Premier League betting odds are the same who tip the Toffees 1X2 @ 5.90 and Asian Handicap @ +1.00 @ 2.12.

They’re not even fancied to secure their first point of the campaign, given the 1X2 Draw is priced @ 4.21.

Villa are massive favourites, both Asian Handicap -1.25 @ 2.17 and 1X2 @ 1.43, whilst goals galore bets include total goal 4-6 @ 2.82. I don’t think there’ll be quite that many, but I do think there’ll be a few which is why I’m opting for a bet of total goals 2-3.

   

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.