Everton vs Aston Villa

Hopefully Dyche gives Danjuma a chance and Dominic scores in a game where we didn't think he'd even be playing!

Staying in the Titanic Hotel tomorrow night so I'll have a short journey to Goodison on Sunday. For once!

Really looking forward to this weekend so I've no doubt whatsoever that Everton will ruin it for me on Sunday but I'm still going nevertheless!

“I prefer to use the car myself to come to the training ground!” 😀

Delighted about Doucouré, and totally (joyously) shocked about Dwight, because when I saw them strapping up his leg, I assumed he was gone for the season.

Great, great news.

And like Mike said, it's great that McNeil is miraculously okay.

Also a bit of news is the call up of Isaac Heath who has been training with the first team this week. A few of us have watched him for the U21s and to me he has looked a player who may progress. Be interesting to see if he makes the bench.

The stars are lining up for Everton!

I've a good feeling that Everton will beat Villa on Sunday.

UTFTs!

I wouldn't get our hopes up for Villa. Maybe the Palace replay?

Doucoure may be available (he's been training this week) and will probably be a last minute decision 50/50.

DCL's lacked support, which Doucs will provide.

Villa have been shaky of late, there's no reason we can't get a result.

I think we have Luton away 11 May; let's hope by then we are well clear of the bottom three.

Stuart #12, mazel tov, congratulations and gong xi. Enjoy your special day at Goodison. I stayed in that same Premier Inn. It's lucky.

Have a great experience. Although she's ageing, she's special and I'm glad you'll get to see her before we move to the Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

Close to Lime Street is the Crown where some congregate after the match. The Northwestern linked to the station is good. A posh Wetherspoons as I like to call it.

Near the ground, a few wise men meet at the Saddle Inn, just offset from County Road. And for your first visit, you have to experience the Brick and/or the Winslow. Even if you can't get near the bar!!!

Then there is the Harlech Castle on County Road.

Enjoy and bring your lucky charm.

If Doucouré is fit and ready, then he's straight in. We've missed him.

Maybe a chance for young Dobbin? Although I suspect Dyche will be cautious and maybe bring him on for 20 minutes?

I like Dyche's straight talking even though we are all experienced enough to know that managers' words can be overpassed by those upstairs.

A look at the table as it stands does not make good reading, although if that is how it finishes, I think we would all accept with points, goals, games etc adjustment as long as we stay clear of the Bottom 3.

We may, and I say that more hopefully than anything else, get some points back, but still need a run of a few games with 3 points from each. Villa will not be an easy game, but I think if we play to our strengths with what we have (personnel), a result is a possibility.

I still have a gripe with Dyche over his timing of substitutions, and quite often the ones off the bench used, but apart from that I think he is doing a decent job. Mind you refereeing decisions (?) and the VARs (bent bastards) have cost us seemingly more than any other team in the Premier League!

COYB 💙💙👍

Branthwaite has become a good player to watch; he seems a very calm player who doesn't waste possession when he's got it, I love to see him link up with Onana – both are good passers of the ball.

Villa are no mugs; it's going to be another tight season… This year will be Everton's.

More VAR aggro, so Doucouré's goal v Fulham was cancelled, at Goodison, while at Turf Moor last night, the Luton player barges the Burnley goalie and the goal stood.

Small margins… which are adding up as the season rolls on.

The game is now a lottery in terms of the VAR and match officials.

UTFTs!

Luton have caught us up and Burnley are looking a bit better now. We really need to try and close the gap to Brentford, Forest and Palace ideally in order to bring others into the relegation battle.

We can't rely on getting points back at appeal and need to keep ourselves safe by scrapping for points whenever we set foot on the grass.

Every game seems to be a 'must win' and no games seem to be bankers for points. Our predicament is starting to wear me down.

Today is going to be a tough test. Of course I'm praying for a win and looking to the runes for inspiration but a draw seems the best we can realistically expect. To make matters worse, I have Ollie Watkins retained as captain of my FFL team having missed the cut of time to change the team!

Pffft...!

You're coming to the boil too soon mate. We're not playing until tomorrow. I understand the desperation to get the points on the board, I feel it too, but there are plenty of games left. We don't need to make the game against a very good Villa side "must win".

Doucouré's return is a timely one. I think having two physically strong men up against the Villa defence will prove a deciding factor.

Stuart. Enjoy your day, mate

Dale, your turn will come.

Too late to edit to 'tomorrow'...

Shows the state of my mind!

I hope Doucoure is fit enough to start as he has been sadly missed, I don't think the system we play is half as effective when Doucoure isn't playing.

While McNeil will be a big miss, I hope Dyche starts Danjuma, he is happy taking on defenders and was unlucky not to score in his last game and is a goal threat.

There can be no excuses about tiredness catching up with our small squad, they've had more than enough rest.

Threats from everywhere with Villa. But my usual mantra: “Watch out for my mate McGinn!”

As Danny says, the Crown is okay, but more of a handy one for the station (waiting for a train, or Godot). If you go a little further down from the Crown, you will see Charlotte Street and a big Wetherspoon's on the corner, used to be Blackler's department store back in the day.

All along Charlotte Street there are some good bars, usually with music on. Tess Riley's, The Blob Shop et al. Enjoy mate and bring us a much needed home win!

There are soccer buses to the ground just along from the Empire Theatre – free if you have a bus pass or £2.00 I think if not!

Let's hope Doucoure is fit to start. We need to stop the recent blip of three consecutive league defeats.

I've got a strange feeling we could actually be suited for this type of opponent, however.

Villa won't come here looking for a draw with a defensive set-up, they will come at us and maybe we can exploit the gaps.

I would not risk McNeil tomorrow, I'd have him fit and ready for Wednesday night because there's another substantial break for us after that I believe?

A point wouldn't be the worst result on earth but I'd think at some stage we need to start getting wins on the board to put distance between us and Luton.

I've been told our net spend over the last five years is £32M, so it's highly unlikely we will be getting any further points deductions.

He has unfairly been getting some stick to the extent that some were pleased that he'd get a ban!! Couldn't believe such comments.

Just do it today, blue boys.

I don't think anyone would be pleased to see Calvert-Lewin being given a ban, nor do I think comments were unfair.

Sometimes in life, constructive criticism is needed and that's not just something aimed at Dominic.

He's been up front alone, yes, but he's not converting enough chances when they do come along; the chances have been coming, it's just we aren't making loads.

I also think the irony of his red card at Palace is he's not an aggressive player but I actually do want him to be a more aggressive player – not in the way he's hurting opponents physically but he needs to be far more of a bully against defenders, he's far too passive still I think.

Beto comes on and he's a very uncultured style of forward isn't he, he's not refined he's rather gangly but he gets in the faces of defenders and I don't think they enjoy playing against him.

It wasn't that same "stranger" that told you, was it?

McNeil's not fit so he can't play. I don't know where people have got the idea that McNeil's close to fitness. He's not, and Dyche said as much in his presser.

Dyche said McNeil is touch and go so it wouldn't shock me at all if he actually even started him.

Dyche trusts McNeil, you can see that, and he's not one to mince words in his press conference; if Dwight was out, then Dyche wouldn't give it a load of flannel.

As for the Villa match, I'll be glad if we get a draw, bloody ecstatic if we win.

We are third bottom in this table, with only Luton and Brighton below us. Brighton have an incredible net plus of £76M. Again, how true it is, I don't know.

“It looked a nasty one, and it felt nasty at the time, but it has settled quick. This one, touch and go; doubt he will make this one, but the next one, he has got a chance.”

Doucoure he was more upbeat about and the fact we are not playing on Saturday and he has an extra day is a bonus. i Think this will be the team:

Pickford
Coleman Tarkowski Branthwaite Mykolenko
Garner Onana
Harrison Doucoure Danjuma
Calvert-Lewin

A strong team that, COYBLUES!

I agree with what you say re Calvert-Lewin and Beto – culture v unculture perhaps?

Whatever style is preferred, I still would like to see 2 upfront rather than support coming from midfield. Never enough or in time for me as no matter how big and gangly you are or with a deft clever touch you have, if there is no one alongside, you can't lay off.

I suppose something of everything – hard to come by – Haaland probably in these times, but I lean towards culture that Everton have had in days gone bye.

Wonder how both playing together would work. I think opposition defences would find it tough.

Danjuma can help out tomorrow if he does a lot more than he did in the Palace game, for 20 minutes at the start of the game, he did very well, then he faded for the rest of the first half, and faded even further in the second half.

Maybe he's better on the left than the right wing but if he can play on the right I think his speed against Digne will cause problems for Villa.

Another nail-biting one-goal win for the Toffees, hopefully.

I think Danjuma has put himself under a bit of pressure with his shenanigans this week. I hope he responds to it. He was excellent in the first half at Palace. Here's his chance to make himself undroppable. COYB!

Problem has been we've spent a stupid amount on wages as well, I think it was over 90% of income some years.

Then there is the compensation to Benitez, Kidman, Silva etc – plenty of other ways for us to have wasted money!!

Doucoure will not be match fit, so a lot can't be expected of him. At least Gomes will be available as a sub and Villa may not have a plan to mark him.

Hopefully escaping a red card will have Calvert_Lewin getting in front of his marker. He needs to stand out on the wing and look if he could get a ball to a forward running between two defenders, without checking back to create space and one that that does not attack the near post.

Beto would be better to come on earlier in the second half to help Everton keep their shape, preventing Aston Villa pushing up in support of their attack.

He has really impressed me and I'd say he's key to Villa

Nullify him and they will be less effective.

Nicole Kidman would have done a better job than Koeman and she would have raised the profile of our club a lot more than the Dutchman did.

I watched Dyche's press conference, and he said McNeil was touch and go for the Villa game, but would definitely be available for the following game.

Villa is playing their best football in 30 years and we're on a 5-game skid at the moment. So of course we're gonna win. Naturally.

1-1 methinks.

Not quite.

He said.

“It looked a nasty one, and it felt nasty at the time, but it has settled quick. This one, touch and go; doubt he will make this one, but the next one, he has got a chance“

Got a chance, not "definitely make the next one."

To think we could have had him for £3 million. Sickening.

I'll never stop supporting the blues, going when I can, watching every match I'm not at, checking all the media for stories every 20 minutes.

I've just grown tired of the constant negativity thrown our way. Every day another story of how we will be fined, deducting points, takeover failing, administration on the cards, blah blah blah!!

However, since just before Christmas, I've decided not to read all the bollocks posted on news websites. I've just said I'm going to think about the games, the squad, the players we have, who's going to play and who's not.

I've found I'm happier, not necessarily with the results or performances but, even if we get wins and points, the media bring us down, hit us with more negative press and I end up stressed all over again!!

So I'm only talking football no!! Players, tactics, squad, formation. We are football fans, we shouldn't have to know the ins & outs of PSR, rolling 3-year accounting periods, Covid write-offs or the interest on loan repayments!! I'm sick of it all!!!!!

I'm buzzing we will have Doucouré back. Danjuma was bright against Palace and has a point to prove. Coleman is well "Coleman" … Nuff said!

It won't be an easy match against a team who will want to put right the cup result. Play 4-4-1-1 – that back 4 of Coleman, Branthwaite, Tarkowski & Mykolenko is our best. If we are solid, we have the opportunity to nick this: 3 points.

Forefield Rangers U-10s lost 0-3

Forefield Rangers U-8s lost 1-3

Marine won 4-0 against Stafford Rangers, (3 very nice goals in this match, catch them on YouTube if you can).

I'm not going to tell the Forefield Rangers grandsons, but a similar sequence of results tomorrow would do just fine!

David West - I couldn't agree more.

I don't expect McNeil to play but I get Dyche playing the game!! Giving nothing away .

We never really know what to expect but I a hoping we can put in a good shift against a team playing really well.

Obviously the defence has to come up big against Watkins and Bailey and it would be nice for Calvert-Lewin to celebrate the appeal for his ridiculous sending-off.

Villa are over-achieving and aren't in the Man City or Liverpool league where, 9 times out of 10, we're beat before the first whistle. It depends on them having an off day and us playing… but it is possible.

Most likely result is 3-nil to the Villa.

You confuse me at times and probably most others too. You start off by being positive, then decline into: "What's the point of turning up?" mode. We will get whacked 0-3! :-)

To those above saying the game under the VAR has become a lottery, that would imply we are in with an equal shout for decisions to go our way. It doesn't feel like that right now and Dyche's comments about us not having a single penalty this season would re-enforce my view.

Doucouré has to go straight in if nearly fit, he himself has stated often he is able to do this; why is he not with Mali in the Afcon, btw?

Tough, tough match, I predict, but Villa have slipped a little lately. Good side though and ol' Count Dracula has done a marvellous job, one of those managers who operate best steering one of the 'best of the rest' teams a la Villarreal where he was fantastic.

I don't think we will see any incomings or outgoings this window but I see once again Tom Fellows was lively for West Brom and scored yesterday, one to watch. We need to get back to winning ways; that period a while back was exhilarating and we shouldn't let some losses against good teams derail us, especially when we were the better side in some. COYB.

Sounds like that league table (the one that never lies) is telling porkies again.

You have to give credit where it's due. Unai Emery is bravely playing the increasingly fashionable high line and he is getting a lovely tune out of his players. I think they will do one of the North London teams out of a Champions League place.

That said, the best way to undo a high line is to break through with players running from deep.

Shame about McNeil's absence, but I believe we can get some joy when Villa attacks break down and we counter.

I think we win this one.

So Up the Toffees. 3:2 victory, but with a lot of nail chewing and hiding behind the sofa. We could really do with at least a point at Goodison to get the momentum back, 3 points would be massive. UTFT!

In the match v Palace, he did pull off a cracker of a save, it would do his confidence some good.

Do yourself a favour and have a look in The Big House later tonight, it's on Lime St. where you are staying.

It was once was a big favourite pub for many people but it was left to rot and went downhill. Now, it has been rejuvenated and it is well worth having a drink in, and at the end of the night, you are nearly home.

I just recognise we aren't very good but acknowledge even moderate teams win when the stars align. So this is one of those games we have a shot at… but, if the Villa impetus and confidence continues and we revert to shrinking violets, we will get a stuffing.

I can't do "positive" for positivity's sake – that is the mother and father of delusion and a big reason the club is a shadow of its former self. Until someone of real influence gets "real" at the club, our descent into the abyss is nailed on.

Dave Cashen @78, wait till the end of the season to see if the league table lies.