Aston Villa vs Everton

, 24 August, 43comments  |  Jump to most recent
Match Preview

It's fair to say that there hasn't been as much optimism among Evertonians since the summer of 2010 when many felt that the Blues had the squad to take on the top four in the Premier League. That anticipatory fervour died a fairly swift death two years ago but hopes for a great season this time around were only fueled further by Monday's stirring slaying of highly-favoured Manchester United.

Of course, at this point it's just one game; one performance, albeit a colossal one. The immediate task is to build on it, to keep the foot on the pedal and notch a first away victory of 2012-13 with this weekend's trip to Aston Villa.

After a fairly dreadful season by their standards, in which they weren't truly out of the woods relegation-wise until the last couple of games, Villa dismissed manager Alex McLeish and tempted Paul Lambert over from Norwich City to rebuild again. As such, the Midlanders are still feeling their way under new management but Lambert's impressive record at Carrow Road means they cannot be underestimated. They lost narrowly at newly-promoted West Ham on the opening day but will be looking to get their first points on the board back on home turf.

Everton, meanwhile, can pick up their 100th away win since the inception of the Premier League if they can manage what would be their first win at Villa Park since February 2005. Three defeats and four draws since are illustrative of the Blues' frustrations on this ground in recent seasons but Moyes's boys will be on the crest of an early wave and will fancy themselves for a result.

Article continues below video content


The gut-busting win over United certainly appeared to take its toll on players still working towards peak fitness after the close season break but Nikica Jelavic, who limped away with cramp, and Sylvain Distin, who jarred his back in the closing stages and had to be helped off the pitch, are both expected to be fit to play.

Nevertheless, Moyes, who admits that he could rotate his central defenders this season, may feel compelled to deploy John Heitinga in central defence to avoid Distin having to play twice in five days. The Dutchman was an automatic choice in central defence for the latter half of last season but was only named on the bench on Monday, perhaps because of his comparatively shorter pre-season than his teammates following Euro2012.

Whether Moyes makes many changes could depend on his assessment of the players' level of fitness, particularly those on the upper end of the age spectrum like Phil Neville but it wouldn't be a big surprise if the starting XI was largely unchanged.

Marouane Fellaini's awesome display on Monday is likely to see him continue in the role behind the striker and that might mean Phil Neville continuing in central midfield alongside Darron Gibson even though the captain has shown mixed effectiveness in that role in the past. Steven Naismith, meanwhile, may have to be content with watching from the bench again with Leon Osman wide right.

Eager Evertonian eyes will be on Kevin Mirallas, but Moyes has indicated that he will decide on the day whether or not to include the Belgian in the squad. The manager is notoriously reticent to throw new signings in straight away but he says that he is mindful of an injury Mirallas sustained earlier in the summer at Olympiacos. It seems, therefore, that the most the forward can hope for is a place on the bench.

In terms of his team selection, Lambert will have Nathan Delfouneso and Chris Herd available but be without Gabriel Agbonlahor, ex-Blue Richard Dunne and Marc Albrighton, as well as Gary Gardner who has been ruled out for up to eight months with an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury.

For Everton, it's simply about establishing momentum and picking up victories on the road against teams who, on paper at least at this stage, are unlikely to be challenging in the top six this season. With Villa going through a restructuring phase, it will be up to the Blues to press home their superiority to extend the good start to the season.

Lyndon Lloyd

 

Reader Comments (43)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer


Richard Farrington
1 Posted 24/08/2012 at 20:53:32
I have a feeling of anticipation for this season that I had in 2010. It was very quickly quashed after we were truly shocking at Blackburn, which I had to watch in the Blackburn end and we didn't win until October.

The remote control that I through in frustration when we lost to Villa a few weeks after the Blackburn game has finally packed in - how did we not score in that game?

I actually travel to Birmingham tomorrow with great hope and even expectation of a good performance and a win. The squad seem to be saying different things this season and I feel a genuinely good season awaits.

As all us blues have been here before - someone pissing on our chips at any sign of hope - I really do feel that we will win tomorrow - Villa are ours for the taking. Come on Everton.

Mark Tanton
2 Posted 24/08/2012 at 21:23:20
I well remember the 2005 win at Villa Park, one of our best ever performances under Moyes (back when Villa still seated away fans behind the goal).

For the record other favourite performances under Moyes include Fiorentina at home, West Ham away in the League cup (recovering from an early goal down to totally control the game), and Monday night!

Richard Farrington
3 Posted 24/08/2012 at 21:35:43
Mark @ 939 - a match I wished I was at was that Villa game. Arteta, Cahill and Osman destroyed them - great stuff.

The West Ham league cup tie you mention, I was there for that in the West Ham end with my son who was 11 at the time. In the bloody West Ham end next to our fans with a young 'un and they were animals - after we didn't celebrate Zamora's goal - we had to be moved by some decent copper. So sweet when the Yak scored in front of us at the end. Felt so sweet after the way we were treated.

Peter Laing
4 Posted 24/08/2012 at 22:02:24
Mark, I was also at theVilla game in 05, my abiding memories being soaked to the skin as sat on the front row without any cover, the Villa fans singing sign on the week that the Rover factory closed down in the Midlands ! and Everton running riot, it could easily have been 5 or 6. Definitely up there in terms of away performances under Moyes, would also add a couple of wins against Spurs into the mix.
Mark Griffiths
5 Posted 24/08/2012 at 22:17:02
I would go with the same team tomorrow with hopefully Mirallas on the bench. I cannot believe that 3-1 win at villa was 7 years ago!

On another note, Adam Johnson has joined Sunderland on a 4 year deal. Can't help but feel we missed out there, but it was an undisclosed fee so could have been out of our price range.
Tom Bowers
6 Posted 24/08/2012 at 22:43:38
A perfect opportunity to cement the good start to the season. Finally a game against Villa without Dunne who always plays well against the Blues.

Long overdue to beat Villa at Villa Park let's do it.

On the other hand every game is different and so we must forget the euphoria of the Manure game and set out with purposeful intent of getting another 3 points. Only Moyes can install that determination and if they manage to stay focused they should beat a very average Villa team.

Hopefully no stupidly inane refereeing decisions affect the outcome as sometimes happens when you are expected to win.
Matt Traynor
7 Posted 24/08/2012 at 23:21:22
I hope that the same logic that Distin "can't play twice in 5 days" also applies to Neville - he's older, or certainly in the same age bracket.

I thought DM was brave on Monday pushing Fellaini up, but you can see why he did it - Man U's defensive woes, and the fact that Felli could drop back more easily if the pressure was against us and fill in a defensive / more balanced role than, say, Cahill would've done.

I know he loves his utility players, but I think it's disingenuous to describe Fellaini as one, he can simply play both defensive and attacking midfield with confidence. Not uncommon in midfield.

In the past when having no option in positions like "the hole" or even up front, Moyes has had to make do. This season, I think he's given himself more options in the attacking midfield / support striker role than he's had in a while. Perversely, I think he and the team are under more pressure tomorrow than Monday - the majority of neutrals, and a fair few Blues (me one) expected a draw at best Monday. Now post-glow, and with Mirallas on board, expectations are understandably higher. I think Moyes' downplaying of Mirallas role is kidology - he'll be on the bench at least.

Villa are in a malaise that has dogged them for 18 months, tomorrow is the best chance in a long time to get in, get out, 3 points.

Jimmy Sørheim
8 Posted 25/08/2012 at 00:30:08
Moyes will have to judge on who is the fittest forward at this time.
I think Jelavic is not quite ready to start games, but Vellios and Mirallas will need to be ahead of him in fitness if they are to start the game.
Naimsith should be our right winger no matter who is the striker at VIlla.

This to me is the acid test.
If we have what it takes to start the season well or not.
I have a strong feeling that this will be a draw, and if Neville starts in midfield we are in for a real fight.

Osman should take Nevilles role, and Naismith should take the right wing.

This will be a very different game then against United.
Darren Bent needs very little to score so we will have to go out and get the first goal to get the game in our right track.

Gareth Fieldstead
9 Posted 25/08/2012 at 01:09:57
I worry that the level of expectation could be a burden. I would be happy with a draw and no injuries, really difficult game today. I don't think we will dominate as we did against Utd and I think both managers will end up playing systems that will cancel each other out. The return of Bent also worries me. Hopefully we still have all our players fit and prepared o battle again - 1 - 1.
Eric Myles
10 Posted 25/08/2012 at 02:20:24
If there's no injury concerns why are Distin and Jelavic classed as 'unlikely to play' on Fantasy Premier League who presumably get the information from the Club?
Si Cooper
11 Posted 25/08/2012 at 02:41:07
Does 'unlikely to play' simply mean unlikely to start?

I could easily see these two benched in the hope that we can get a result without requiring them to set foot on the pitch, with the option of bringing Jelavic on to try to get a goal if we haven't manufactured one in 70 minutes play.

Would be nice to be able to go for the kill from the off in every game but a small squad means at times we will probably be gambling on conjuring a result from a second-string line-up to give first-choices as much recuperation time as possible.

Villa seem more and more a second tier team, so hopefully we will be able to get the win without risking those nursing injuries.

David Chait
12 Posted 25/08/2012 at 07:03:45
As much as Fella dominated Man U, for some reason I would prefer him to drop back into Pip's position and Naismith come in behind Jela... I really feel that is our chance for quality from back to front... My team for today would be:
Howard
Hibbert.. Johnny.. Jags... Baines
..............Fella.... Gibson....
Mirallas... Naismith....Pienaar
..............Jelavic.........

Tell me that isn't more appetising than the line up last week. But I wont complain if he goes with the team that won... they do deserve another run out.. and Fella can do it again

Phil Sammon
13 Posted 25/08/2012 at 07:41:34
Eric

They're 'unlikely to play' because of the injury/fitness worries Moyes has spoken of. It's just a guide though. You know more about your club than they do.

David @006

I fully agree. The team you've selected is spot on, although harsh on Ossie. I think Miralles will be on the bench anyway so Ossie will retain his place in the side, though I doubt it will be on the right.

There's a few talking about expectations being a bit high. They are high - but it's the players that are setting that level. They keep talking about the feeling that they can 'do something' this year. I don't see expectancy as a burden if you're putting it on yourselves. It means they're confident, and that helps win football matches

Peter Warren
14 Posted 25/08/2012 at 07:46:16
Absolutely crucial game. It will be hard to get 3 points but we must try whilst we have a fully fit squad and confidence. We must capitalise whilst villa finding their feet as we will have a period when people aren't fit
Michael Lynch
15 Posted 25/08/2012 at 07:50:55
I hope he goes with Osman in the hole and Naismith on the right hand side with Neville making way. Hopefully Mirallas will get 25 minutes in the second half. We should be able to win this one comfortably on paper if we play as well as we know we can. Unfortunately for some reason Villa seem to have incredible luck against us every season no matter how well we play.
Keith Edmunds
16 Posted 25/08/2012 at 08:13:05
David 006, I would be happy with your team, but with Ossie starting and Mirallas coming on as sub. But as you say probably be the same team as Monday which I won't mind, although I'd like us to keep Johnny happy.
Ajay Gopal
17 Posted 25/08/2012 at 08:38:45
Assuming that Moyes prefers to rest Distin & Neville, the team would probably look:

Howard
Hibbert Jagielka Heitinga Baines
Gibson Fellaini
Osman Naismith Pienaar
Jelavic

SUBS: Mirallas, Neville, Coleman, Velios, Anichebe, Barkley, Mucha

With Sky Sports reporting that Moyes has "pulled off a coup" by signing M'Baye Niang for 2 million, happy days are here !

Time to make a statement of intent tonight !

Kev Johnson
18 Posted 25/08/2012 at 09:01:08
What if Jelavic is unfit? (He had a groin strain last time I looked, and he was suffering with something similar when we signed him so we need to be careful not to make it worse.)

Plan B is... er, er, er.... we haven't really got a proper one, have we?

OK, Fellaini playing up front with Naismith behind him. Or Anichebe at CF. Don't fancy either of those options. Don't think Naismith ever played as the main striker did he? Velios won't start - Moyes doesn't fancy him.

After his testimonial strike, I suppose we could always stick HIbbo up front!

Chris James
19 Posted 25/08/2012 at 09:16:55
Blimey, the transfers are really happening thick and fast now.
Johnson to Sunderland, Moses and the Spanish right back to Chelsea, Jarvis to West Ham and Sahin to Liverpool.
Some deals falling apart though, Dawson not heading to QPR and Huddlestone's move to Stoke broken down - worth us having a sniff?
Sounds like Utd and Chelsea have finished though, so it's only City left to splash any big cash and I can't see them coming back again after Rodwell.
Tony Cheek
20 Posted 25/08/2012 at 09:27:43
Ive no doubt that if all are fit Moyes will play the same team as Monday. There is no way that Ossie will be put on the bench. If Distin and jelly are not fit then Johnny and Naismith will get a game. I have a feeling that Mirallas will not even make the bench, you know what Moyes is like with new signings.
Think the first time he kicks a ball for us will be at Goodison. Hope I am wrong as I cant wait to see him play, but thats just how DM does things.
Sam Hoare
21 Posted 25/08/2012 at 09:43:18
I wish we had a another strong Cm to come in for Neville. As well as he did against Man U I feel he is the weakest link by a mile. His touch and distribution are not up to the same standard as Pienaar, gibson and osman which means when he is pressurised he is often the one to give the ball away. Also, the guys getting on and does not alway have the legs to cover midfield runs as witnessed on monday when he could not keep up with Kagawa for what was one of Man U's best chances and needed a good save from Howard to prevent an equaliser.

The obvious solution is to drop Fella back but I really think he is so effective in that role behind Jelly. Not just in an attacking sense either. Fellaini is our best presser of the ball and his closing down work in the opponents half when he is playing further forward see's us regain posession much more frequently and in dangerous positions which really helps us create chances. There's reason the team is doing so well with him playing there.

I reckon we'll see the same team as monday with possibly Johnny coming in to replace distin if not fit and Mirallas on the bench. Personally would love to see Junior given a game instead of Neville as when I have seen him he has been our outstanding young player and looked head and shoulders above Barkley and Rodwell in the reserves at times last seasons. Won't happen today though.

Tight game. Hoping for 2-1 to us but reckon it might be 1-1.

Kevin Tully
22 Posted 25/08/2012 at 09:58:14
Be happy with a point here, but I want to see some attacking intent.

Naismith may play C.F. if Jelavic is declared unfit. Mirallas on the bench.

Villa are low on confidence and it may be our day if we are prepared to push men forward.

Paul David
23 Posted 25/08/2012 at 10:12:10
If everyone is fit I can see Moyes sticking with the same 11 who started Monday. I would like to see Naismith come in for Neville.
Norman Merrill
24 Posted 25/08/2012 at 10:07:38
Our record at Villa park,except for semi-finals, is rather poor.
Regardless of who plays I feel we should have too much for a struggling Villa.
If Mondays effort & performance is anything to go by.
Phil Sammon
25 Posted 25/08/2012 at 10:45:05
Neck on the line here...

There is no way on earth that Moyes is playing Naismith at the apex of our attack. He likes his striker to win headers. That means Vellios or Vic if Jelavić is out. Even though Vic can't head, he just looks like he should be able to.

Should Jelavić be out we have no option but to use Fellaini like we did against Man U. At least then he can win the ariel balls and give it to the other forward.

I'm almost glad Jelavić is having fitness issues. Hopefully this dialemma will show Moyes just how badly we need another goal scorer.

Let's have a good performance and 3 points. COYB

Joe McMahon
26 Posted 25/08/2012 at 11:01:47
I hope we don't score too early, as we'll have to (yet again) defend with 11 players in our own half for the rest of the match. Bent, Agbonlahor and N'Zogbia all have pace!
Kev Johnson
27 Posted 25/08/2012 at 11:13:33
Joe - that is so pessimistic! I know what you mean about us dropping back but isn't our record pretty good when we score first? If we're 1-0 up with 15 mins to go it would be the perfect opportunity to put Mirallas on and hit THEM on the break. Or even (dare I say it) put Big Vic on - last season he did well when he came on late away from home.
Joe McMahon
28 Posted 25/08/2012 at 11:41:10
Maybe youre right Kev, positive thinking is the way to go.
I just don't want 7 Everton defenders on the pitch again. As Brain Clough said "Attack is the best form of defence"
Bobby Thomas
29 Posted 25/08/2012 at 11:03:36
We need cover up top and we probably need another midfielder to take up Rodwells position as a deep lying midfielder.

Size of the squad means we are going to ask a lot of certain players, Jelavic, Fellaini, Ossie and yes, Phil Neville who incidentally, people need to start giving a break its getting old. In a well set up side that has options going forward he plays in front of the back 4 fine, is positionally superb and is a great barrier.

Hes played there for seasons now people need to get over it. He plays right back plenty as well and with the size of our squad if he got injured we would feel it big time. Having sold Rodwell, he plays in the system we have gone with, 2 deep lying mids.

With Fellainis development, Mirallas, Naismith & Ossies versatility we are fine for options behind the striker. When attacking we do move into 4-2-3-1-ish territory.

Maybe we can get away with the squad size, maybe. I personally doubt it and unless we have a freakish run without injuries the squad size is going to bite and certainly freshness at least will dip at times, I could understand an iffy finish for example.

Even though Rodwell was virtually a non playing squad member for 2 seasons his place in the squad is vacant. If fit he would have played a lot this year.

Wouldnt be the most popular signing but I think we need a deepish midfielder as well as the absolutely necessary lone striker cover. Long term, a young right back needed in the next year.

Jelavic the boy, he makes the whole system work, all our chips are on him at the minute.

Bobby Thomas
30 Posted 25/08/2012 at 11:03:36
We need cover up top and we probably need another midfielder to take up Rodwells position as a deep lying midfielder.

Size of the squad means we are going to ask a lot of certain players, Jelavic, Fellaini, Ossie and yes, Phil Neville who incidentally, people need to start giving a break its getting old. In a well set up side that has options going forward he plays in front of the back 4 fine, is positionally superb and is a great barrier.

Hes played there for seasons now people need to get over it. He plays right back plenty as well and with the size of our squad if he got injured we would feel it big time. Having sold Rodwell, he plays in the system we have gone with, 2 deep lying mids.

With Fellainis development, Mirallas, Naismith & Ossies versatility we are fine for options behind the striker. When attacking we do move into 4-2-3-1-ish territory.

Maybe we can get away with the squad size, maybe. I personally doubt it and unless we have a freakish run without injuries the squad size is going to bite and certainly freshness at least will dip at times, I could understand an iffy finish for example.

Even though Rodwell was virtually a non playing squad member for 2 seasons his place in the squad is vacant. If fit he would have played a lot this year.

Wouldnt be the most popular signing but I think we need a deepish midfielder as well as the absolutely necessary lone striker cover. Long term, a young right back needed in the next year.

Jelavic the boy, he makes the whole system work, all our chips are on him at the minute.

Douglas Turner
31 Posted 25/08/2012 at 12:52:03
Everton agree £2million for Caen starlet M'Baye Niang with the forward expected to sort out personal terms over the next couple of days.
Niang impressed David Moyes during a recent trial on Merseyside and the Toffees boss has piped AC Milan, Arsenal and Tottenham to the teenager.
Steve Smith
32 Posted 25/08/2012 at 13:24:06
My glass half empty head tells me, 3 points up and just another 37 to go before we can play a more expansive game.

My glass half full head tells me, a win today and they might as well just give us the trophy now.

Si Cooper
33 Posted 25/08/2012 at 13:27:26
Presume that £2 million is a down payment to take him on a season-long loan with an option to buy after that, unless the £6 million originally touted was miles off target.

If this is more than just a rumour, then we have basically matched AC Milan's offer and persuaded the player to choose us over them. Happy days! Now just need him to be as good as he has been tipped to be.

Team for today - will be happy with whoever is picked as long as they go out positively. Think rotating the likes of Naismith and Heitinga in makes sense, and if Jelavic is unavailable then Felli will definitely stay in his advanced position.

COYB!

Stan Sheppard
34 Posted 25/08/2012 at 13:50:31
Sky sports have us in pole position to sign him.

http://www1.skysports.com/transfer-centre/clockwatch

Stan Sheppard
35 Posted 25/08/2012 at 13:50:31
Sky sports have us in pole position to sign him.

http://www1.skysports.com/transfer-centre/clockwatch

Kevin Tully
36 Posted 25/08/2012 at 14:08:30
Swansea playing like fecking Barca ......all about having billions my arse !!!
Stuart Mitchell
37 Posted 25/08/2012 at 14:15:34
One change. Naismith for Hibbo. Nev to RB, Ossie into the middle. Naisy wide.
Mark Tanton
38 Posted 25/08/2012 at 14:17:15
That's a good change I think, although Hibbert can count himself unlucky.
Si Cooper
39 Posted 25/08/2012 at 14:18:28
They are playing West Ham though Kevin.

Oh feck! I think Villa may have hugely improved their team simply by off-loading Collins.

Paul David
40 Posted 25/08/2012 at 14:22:50
Not happy about Hibbert being dropped, he was excellent on Monday. It will be interesting to see how Naismith performs on the wing. I know he played a few positions for Rangers but playing out wide for the dominant team in the league is a bit different to playing for us were he will be expected to defend as much as attack.

We should get at least a point but go for 3. I was on the sky sports website eariler this morning and looked at the Villa side expected to play, it was awlful, whats happened to Villa?

Kev Johnson
41 Posted 25/08/2012 at 14:29:44
Funny comment on the BBC site about the Sunderland/Reading postponement:

(Alex, disgruntled Reading fan on text): "Sunderland can afford £12 million for Steven Fletcher but a functioning drainage system is too much?"

Jimmy Sørheim
42 Posted 25/08/2012 at 16:57:01
Good game from Moyes, picked the right starting eleven.
His subs were good too.
I am pleased, but Howard has a special taste for letting in easy shots in games like this.

We will need to get a right winger more like Drenthe who can create a goal out of nothing.
Naismith is a long way off fitness.
Mirallas is more of a forward then a winger.
A player like Drenthe would just make this team a CL team, it is that simple.
Very good base in our squad we just need that extra trick in our sleeve, given it is going to be a long season I really feel a quality right winger is a must.

I want Cl and I think we are not too far from having a squad that can fulfill my dream.
I guess I got hooked on the goals Drenthe got out of nothing that saved our first half of last season.
Now that we have lost Drenthe I feel the need for someone like him to come and take over from where he left.

Darren Thompson
43 Posted 26/08/2012 at 00:33:49
After viewing Toffeweb articles without being a member, I have become fond of Richard Dodd's posts. I feel compelled to ask the question: Where is Doddy? Is he an alias as some have suggested, aka David Barks? If anybody can shed light on his whereabouts please post thanks.

Add Your Comments

In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.

» Log in now

Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.


About these ads