Aston Villa vs Everton

Dom must be full of "If I get injured again, how many games will I play? What if I go too hard? Shall I take it easy?"

A player should concentrate on one thing: the game, not worrying if his body fails again. If you asked every Everton supporter what do we need, every one of them would say "Get a striker in similar to Dom, to give him back up."

It's not rocket science for us, so why is it so hard for Kenwright and Co?

Thank God. Now please, please stay healthy, young man.

As an aside, I absolutely love Sean Dyche's approach to everything. He's so down to earth, so refreshingly straightforward. He comes in for stick but I really want him to succeed. I like the man a lot.

Then there is Demarai Gray. Dyche said last week "He came back later than the others" meaning he was on international duty and hasn't been training. But his last game for Jamaica was only four days after Branthwaite and Garner played in the U21 final. Well Garner and Branthwaite weren't just training they were in the team to play Stoke on 29 July. That is 20 days ago. So why the extended absence of Gray?

Then there is Holgate. He has been playing with the under 21s even while a lot of seemingly "not ready" under 21 players were playing with the first team preseason. If they're not in the mix for the season, wouldn't you expect the 70k a week with a 165 senior appearances to his name to be involved instead. Even if only to get him match fit and "in the window" in hopes of getting him fit enough and seeming attractive enough to a potential buyer?

Are we just trying to freeze these guys out to force them to find new clubs? If so it doesn't seem to be working. Or are they on the naughty list and being punished for some kind of infraction? I don't miss two of the three as they are pretty terrible but it is just a peculiar situation.

As for Dom, I'll believe it when I see it. I'd be surprised he does any more than make the bench. Too many let downs, sad to say. Personally I think there is something more fundamentally wrong, either in the body or more likely the head.

We need not to be wasteful and then concede late on like we did against an average Fulham mob.

We still have weaknesses arguably in midfield where they have not yet come together as a tight unit when not in possession despite having little up front.

However, we live in hope and if they can produce something like the Brighton away game late last season then it's possible to get a good result

DCL to start.. We need him so he starts, by all accounts he's in a good frame of mind and in his own words, his body is in a good frame of mind as well.

Secondly, our defence against Fulham was good, you do not play any team in EPL and not conceed any chances within 90 minutes of play. Fulham had two. Lets build on that.

COYB..

Even without DCL we have a good chance of containing Villa's attack. Our counterattack should get some payoff this time around. UTFT!

I don't think DAnjuma is quite ready so I think GArner will get another chance to beef up the MF.

KITAP1 hopefully.

Right but why do these potential transfers preclude them from training? I mean for one thing, if we are trying to have Maupay hone his skills in training wouldn't it be better for him to come up against Holgate then one of the youngsters they've been using in pre-season? Or if we want Patterson to improve wouldn't it benefit him to face Gray in training versus Onyango?

Our team with Dom back is solid, hard to play against and will grab a goal. Patterson will get targeted and tested on Sunday, it's a big game for him, he will need defensive discipline first and foremost and focus at all times.

With Villa weakened I'm going for a narrow victory, Villa 1 Everton 2. COYBLUES! UTFT's, Let's get this season up and running!

The last team we beat them home or away was at Villa Park and Fumes Mori was one of the scorers. Blimey that feels like a long time ago. Time to switch things up. Prior to that we had the better of things for about 8 years so lets flip the script this weekend.

He tackles more, passes better, is in the game more and is more interested.

I'm already looking at other results. Luton and Sheffield look worse even than us and unlike last year's teams, look clear relegation fodder, so in my mind, we need to beat whatever Forest, Wolves and Bournemouth do.

Not much fun at the moment. If we can somehow hang in there, it should get better, new stadium, P&S will improve and maybe, here's hoping, new owners/leadership.

Gray is an odd one, its like things need to happen here and elsewhere before he moves on, but we're currently paying him ! he should be in and around the first team squad and be fit and ready to come on whenever required, could've done with him coming on v Fulham if only for a “come and get me “ cameo, instead he's disappeared.

Dyche is obviously not bothered about him and he's already out of his plans.

The manager is saying these things in pressers but he should realise he's only talking to journalists who don't bother analysing what he's saying one week from the next, but us fans do, and we rely on this information ,and take it for what it is , cos it's the only information we currently get out of the club.

I don't care or want to predict who plays. When they walk across the white line they are all in royal blue shirts and have our backing whoever they are. They represent Everton. We all want the same outcome regardless of the team selection.

The next few games after Villa are all potentially winnable, so I just hope the new signings integrate very quickly and Dyche takes the cup game against Doncaster seriously.

The Fulham performance was dire because, without scoring a goal, it doesn't matter how many chances we have and Fulham at home should have been a guaranteed 3 points.

We were crap on the road last year and there's nothing to suggest that's going to change anytime soon. I expect to lose tomorrow (not being pessimistic, just realistic) but hoping to be surprised.

I'd take a draw now if offered - DCL or no DCL.

Danny - have to say I've hated Villa Park since the 6-2 reversal in ‘89. Tony Daley tore us a new one that day, even with Nev in goal! Never liked Ian Olney either - anyways, ‘nother time, ‘nother place' etc.

Hilarious! So true.

I have a different take.

When he goes to his schnoz and then wipes his bald-ish head I love it. He's basically telling the world, "I don't give a fuck what you think." 😂

Maupay Iwobi
Doucoure Gana Onana Garner
Young Tarkowski Keane Patterson
Pickford

V/S

Watkins
Bailey McGinn Diaby
Luiz Kamara
Digne Torres Konsa Cash
Martinez

A defeat by a couple of goals and we could be rock bottom after only two games. Will he or won't he: Calvert-Lewin the enigma might be up for saving us, or he might not!!

Seen it all over the last ten seasons with all the players and managers coming through the sliding doors.

We all know we just don't have the offense to really worry most teams if any at all.

Signing new players means nothing if they can't do the business.

Villa will be on the rebound and playing their first home game so we had better beware regardless of the injuries they have.

Needless to say we need a goal and we need to get it first just like the Fulham game which we blew.

I hoping for Calvert-Lewin and Braintwaite to start and Everton to get their first points of the season.

If we keep making chances like last week, some of them will stick and we will score some goals. Calvert-Lewin and Danjuma should be able to contribute more too, so I'm positive.

2-0 for me. Calvert-Lewin & Danjuma.
UTFT

I think playing Calvert-Lewin from the start is better for everyone. He benefits from the full warm-up, instead of sitting on the bench.

He can help get us on the front foot and get us a better foothold in the match or even a lead. He can come off if any worries.

If he's coming on to chase a game at 0-0 or a deficit, it's more pressure and worse if he has any reaction and we need to sub the sub.

I would play Garner, Onana and Doucouré in midfield. This would be an attacking line-up and hopefully generate some much-needed goals.

I would also like to see Branthwaite in for Keane but don't see that happening. I would be cautiously optimistic with that line-up.

But – and it's a big 'but' – has the infamous "soft" tissue become hard enough that he can play a number of games, preferably without being rested every other game? If not, we need a backup – and that backup is not Maupay.

"I'd even add that at his best he's second only to Harry Kane in terms of talent amongst English centre-forwards". How did you come to that conclusion?

I would swap Calvert-Lewin with most of the good centre-forwards in the Pemier League. He will never be in the same league as Kane, injuries or not. If he stays fit, he will get goals, but a class centre-forward he is not.

But thanks to our god awful chairman and puppet Thelwell, no recognised striker graces our locker room. They have avoided goalscorers… still!!!

Everton have to make amends tomorrow surely.

But after Fulham were well beaten at home, what could have been, should have been. Had Calvert-Lewin started we would have creamed them.

Still no centre-forward and our god awful chairman and puppet now look towards another midget centre-forward (5'-9") non-goalscorer to fill the 3-year relegation battle void of no striker.

It truly truly beggars belief.

Every player signed by other clubs: Oh why can't Everton buy him? Because we haven't got too much cash to spare, and we're hampered by Profitability and Sustainability rules, that's why we had to sell Richarlison and Gordon, that's why we're hunting in the bargain bin for new recruits.

A new manager arrives at what has been a Top 6 squad for most of the last decade and is lauded for playing exciting football, that's why Conte wasn't suited to Spurs. Now they have a manager who has done well in his career up to now, by playing open football, but who knows if Spurs will continue to play this exciting brand of footy during this long-drawn out season?

Dyche isn't going anywhere, anytime soon, and if he does, it will be his decision. It will also mean he has failed and that means that the club has failed. So let's stop this attempt to be a purist supporter who expects to see champagne football, we aren't in that territory and we won't be for some time. It's dig in and fight for the next few years, and hopefully then we might start to ask to see a more entertaining style of football.

It's as if the last couple of seasons didn't happened with some on here. Remember how close we were to going down? Remember the possible dire consequences that would have followed if we had fallen out of the Premier League?

Enjoy each game as it comes and thank our lucky stars that those games are currently being played in the top tier. It may still end in tears, I'm no gypsy, but I'll try and enjoy Everton playing Premier League footy whilst it lasts. I can wait until at least the turn of the year before fretting about the style of play, or the position in the table which we occupy; I'd advise others to do the same.

I just see Villa bouncing back, first home game for them too, we're live on the box and Dyche's usual caution frustrating the fuck outta me... doesn't bode well like my fellow Blues!

Sigh... when will our fortunes change?

To me there still owed,but unless we take the L.C seriously again,I very much doubt we'll have our day in the sun at Wembley and finally win that 3- handled pot!

A point tomorrow would be a good result and I fear for our defense.

Dyche had better not start Maupay or he can do one as well.

Amen to that. Sometimes the truth hurts but it has to be faced up to. There is no easy way back to the good times we have never had under Chairman Bill.

Verging on a rant that, but well said! I agree with every word.

Clearly frustrating and time will tell if if it works.

It's probably the right thing to do, but it depends on the recruitment team ensuring adequate replacements can be called upon. For that, we aren't where we need to be.

Gbamin is employed by Everton Football Club, yes?

We pay him a generous salary, yes or no? If yes, then why is he not at the place of employment?

If he's unable to play football, then surely there must be other roles he could fulfill ? Working with the juniors, driving a minibus, filing maybe…

If he refuses he is in breach of contract surely.

I like Dyche. I like his bluntness. I wish he would make more subs — but if I was a player, I think I'd like to play for him.

Hopefully Calvert-Lewin starts, but regardless, the recruitment guys need to get their finger out of their arse and get a striker in. It's all well and good pursuing Harrison and Gnonto… the glaring hole in our squad is up front! Sign a striker asap!!

Calvert-Lewin makes a big difference in how we play but, other than his season under Ancelotti, he isn't a 20-goal-a-season man.

The other options without McNeil are awful: Iwobi, 2 goals last season and not much the previous seasons; not sure about Danjuma but Dyche hinted in his press conference he may not start the game.

Goals from our midfield are pretty much non-existent so we might have to rely on Keane or Tarkowski from a corner.

Hopefully our goalscoring prospects will pick up when Harrison and McNeil are fit to start games and we may still sign a striker before the window closes.

Shitting it about this afternoon (I think we might surprisingly win against the odds). I don't know why I'm crapping it because I'm at the point of knowing however good or bad Everton are it won't affect my life, but that's were I find myself now. Past caring almost - it's a defence mechanism I reckon.

Spot on there, brother! One of the reasons I am slowly (no, quickly) becoming so disillusioned with the modern-day game and the cosseted tossers that wear the shirts today.

No other Profession would a) pay these immoral amounts, and b) issue ridiculous contracts that ostensibly could make a very average player a millionaire, without ever playing a senior game.

Well said – we need more realism on here, and less pessimism.

Benitez played Calvert-Lewin when he had a broken toe, he never got a chance to rest, repeatedly being played when he was carrying an injury.

Hopefully now we'll see the benefits of Dyche's training methods, considering the extent of our injuries over the last few years has been unreal.

Let's keep it that way, because it would be another excuse in the case of defeat: "We played badly because those on ToffeeWeb slagged us off beforehand." :-)

One which performs well with Calvert-Lewin on the pitch, then another which struggles badly without him. For two years, a quality backup or challenger has been a necessity for Premier League security, and also the whole club's stability.

Managers, trainers, administrators come and go at great cost, but still no striker to put the chances away when Dom is injured. If they want stability then get the fundamentals right first.

If he starts today, I am very optimistic we will get at least a draw.

COYBLUES!

We are 4/1 today so you are not alone in your analysis. I think we will win.

Honest to God, the day I feel the need to actually type, time after time, that we are going to be well beaten is really the day I will reconsider why I support Everton and instead think of building a replica of the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock from matchsticks.

So you think we have been wasting all of our ToffeeWeb sweetness on the desert air?