Season › 2013-14 › News Aston Villa vs Everton Lyndon Lloyd , 25 October, 0comments | Jump to most recent Match Preview Beaten just once in the Premier League so far this season, Everton's victory over Hull City last weekend was their fourth in five matches and yet they sit in seventh place in the table, four points off the summit. It's testament to the challenge that Roberto Martinez faces this season in trying to better his predecessor's sixth-place finish last season and, even better, to crack the top four come May. In addition to the usual moneyed suspects, those clubs who filled the four places between Champions Manchester United and Everton last season and who all strengthened their already impressive squads to varying degrees over the summer, there are wildcard teams like Liverpool and Southampton who have made strong starts to the 2013-14 campaign and who look capable of pushing the Blues all the way in the race for the European places. That increases the pressure on Martinez to keep churning out results and accumulating points, particularly in away matches like this weekend's trip to Aston Villa which have already been won by rival teams, like Spurs who came away from Villa Park with a convincing 2-0 victory last Sunday. On paper, the Villains looked better prepared to challenge in the top half of the Premier League this season than they did last and that may yet prove to be the case but they've made a chequered start. A stunning 3-1 win at Arsenal on the opening day was as poor an indication of the situation at the Emirates as it has proved to be for Paul Lambert's Villa. Article continues below video content The Gunners responded by embarking on a jaw-dropping run of results that has established them as the clear pacesetters, dropping just two points in the League since. Villa, on the other hand have managed to win just twice more since, although one of those wins came against Manchester City recently. Lambert will also have potent marksman, Christian Benteke, back in the side who will face off against his countryman, Romelu Lukaku, for the first time since the latter's loan switch to Goodison. The pair have almost identical records so far this season and both could play a decisive role in what is English football's most-played fixture. All that makes Villa unpredictable foes for an Everton side still finding its way to a degree under Martinez's preferred playing style. The Blues come into this one with a momentum that doesn't appear to have been unduly disturbed by the defeat at the Etihad Stadium. The win over Hull City was well deserved and if the team can carry through that level of possession-hogging football and chance creation while tightening up a little at the back, then they should be in good shape to take all three points. Should they do so, they stand to make up some ground on at least one of the teams above them — Chelsea and Manchester City play each other on Sunday. Their chances should be enhanced by the return of Steven Pienaar; that's if Martinez elects to displace regular starter Leon Osman in favour of the South African who marked his return from injury last Saturday with an excellent goal. Certainly, the reestablishment of the Pienaar-Leighton Baines partnership down the left flank will provide more attacking threat than has been the case during the former's absence. Late training-ground injuries notwithstanding, it's hard to envision any other changes to the XI that started against the Tigers. Kick-off: 3pm Referee: Anthony Taylor Quotes or other material sourced from ToffeeWeb Match Reports Memory Lane – Match 9 Betting Preview Live Matchday Forum About these ads © ToffeeWeb