Michael Kenrick 14/01/2025 48comments  |  Jump to last
Match Preview

David Moyes faces his first test as the new Everton manager with the visit of Aston Villa to Goodison Park under the lights on Wednesday night.

The number of senior players he can call on is still limited by injuries, with Armando Broja the latest worry after he was carried off in pain after damaging his ankle against Peterborough, 6 days after jarring his leg as he kicked the turf when attempting to strike the ball against Bournemouth, the swelling still preventing a full scan and diagnosis. 

James Garner, Tim Iroegbunam and Youssef Chermiti seem to have been getting closer to the point of returning to the first team but have yet to make the subs bench; none even merited a mention by David Moyes in his pre-match presser which seemed to be more about his triumphant return to the club, than the pressing matter of 3 points needed against Aston Villa in the battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

At least Moyes seems to understand the fundamental problem Everton have faced all season, if not for far longer: the chronic inability to score anything like enough goals. It seems he has already had words with the enigmatic centre-forward he inherited on arrival, having spoken with Dominic Calvert-Lewin to make sure he knows what is expected of him. Whether the wantaway striker will respond to such encouragement remains to be seen…

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Dominic Calvert-Lewin could return after being dropped from the squad for the Peterborough match cup-tine, while McNeil, who scored the opener in Everton’s 3-2 defeat at Villa Park in September, is still missing through injury.

And Moyes shouldn't have to do too much to get the defence working to order; when it comes to that side of the game, the philosophies of the current and former incumbents of the Goodison hotseat are almost indistinguishable. 

The difference will be manifest hopefully further up the field, where the transition from defence to attack when turning over possession of the ball from the opponents tomorrow night will be a critical sign of what Moyes has been able to achieve in the short time since his Second Coming. Can the midfield show some creativity and positive meaningful forward movement, both on and off the ball?

Will the full-backs be allowed to cross the half-way line and even overlap with forwards to provide crosses that we all know they should be perfectly capable of delivering? 

Will the exciting ball skills and determination of Iliman Ndiaye be better provided with supporting players at close quarters who can give him options for playing one-twos and getting himself into an often crowded penalty area so that he can execute the final act of his elegant slaloms with more effectiveness? 

Dyche's reliance on set-pieces has fallen flat this season, and David Moyes must surely recognize that goals scored from forward and midfield players across the team in open play is perhaps the only way he is going to turn around the plummeting fortunes of the dispirited and largely disinterested players who Dyche has left him with.

Evertonians will need no reminder that the visitors could provide a return for Ross Barkley, Lucas Digne and Amadu Onana – three of the many in a long list of 'better' former Everton players who have been made available for transfer, most likely to ensure a substantial profit in the player transactions column while the quality of the squad declined so much on Farhad Moshiri's watch. 

However, Barkley is ruled out of this game with injury, as are Pau Torres, John McGinn, and Diego Carlos, but Emiliano Martinez is expected to be fit and Jhon Duran returns from suspension.  Unai Emery also has a new player to consider: Aston Villa have completed the signing of Borussia Dortmund's Dutch winger Donyell Malen.

The 25-year-old is Villa's first signing of the January transfer window after a productive spell in Germany, netting 39 goals and providing 20 assists in 132 appearances. But this season, he has only scored 3 from 14 Bundesliga appearances, mainly off the bench. 

For those who can't make it to Goodison Park on Wednesday night, the match is being broadcast live on TNT Sports 2, with coverage starting at 18:30 GMT

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Reader Comments (48)

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Mike Gaynes
1 Posted 14/01/2025 at 17:56:02
For US viewers, the game is live on USA Network from 2:30 pm Eastern time. 11:30 at my house.

I'm sure the pregame Premier League Live will show the wild Goodison celebration at the return of David Moyes. Fireworks, lion dances and the like.

Derek Knox
2 Posted 14/01/2025 at 18:01:49
With no players having arrived in the window, team selection will be interesting for a couple of reasons. The one being how they will react to a different (hopefully) game plan.

Secondly, to see if Moyes can indeed get a better tune out of the same players where Dyche couldn't.

Hoping as always for a win, and looking forward to tomorrow! COYB

Steven Sturm
3 Posted 14/01/2025 at 18:05:26
9:30am for me then Mike! Looking forward to this one.

Charles Ward
4 Posted 14/01/2025 at 18:11:02
Tough start for Dour Davey. Both Villa and Spurs, when on song, can score goals.

Good thing is, both seem recently to be a bit fragile defensively… but can we take advantage?

Mike Gaynes
5 Posted 14/01/2025 at 18:15:58
You in Hawaii, Steven? Coffee and fresh pineapple on the lanai while watching Rebecca Lowe?
Dave Abrahams
6 Posted 14/01/2025 at 18:23:49
It's good news that McGinn is missing from the Villa line-up, he has ruled the game in the last three home games finding space with no one picking him up.

We got away with it last season, getting a point in a hard-fought draw, but Everton will have their own players missing tomorrow, let's see what transpires.

James Hughes
7 Posted 14/01/2025 at 18:30:53
Fellow TW's fuck everything and arguements we have, have you seen how amazing our new ground is.

Dave A DO NOT give up your season ticket

Link

Jay Harris
8 Posted 14/01/2025 at 18:30:55
Kinda liked the 3-4-3 we played last week but Villa are not the opponents to play that against because they are so speedy on the break with long balls over the midfield into the channels. I would go with:

Pickford
Patterson Tarkowski Branthwaite Mykolenko
Garner (if fit) Mangala Gana
Harrison Calvert-Lewin or Beto Ndiaye

Bring Armstrong and Lindstrøm on in the second half.

James Hughes
9 Posted 14/01/2025 at 18:32:57
And tell Brent to get his pedalo out, he will make a fortune.
Ernie Baywood
10 Posted 14/01/2025 at 19:06:07
Will be interesting to see what Moyes tweaks. I can't imagine he'll make massive changes with only a few days under his belt and limited options in the squad.

I kind of hope we see Patterson start and Ndiaye play somewhere other than the left side.

Other than that, it's probably more about intent than formation.

We'll also get a feel for how the appointment has been received by the fanbase. I'll suggest it'll be a bit better than on here.

COYB

Raymond Fox
11 Posted 14/01/2025 at 19:13:26
I don't agree Michael when you say the players looked dispirited and disinterested, I think it was more that they are just not very good.

You are spot on though when you say the midfield need to create more chances and score the odd goal or two.
I think it's fair to say that Villa, player for player, are the better side at the moment and it's going to be difficult to get points, but hope springs eternal and here's hoping for a special night.

Paul Ferry
12 Posted 14/01/2025 at 19:17:07
Whatever each one of us thinks about the second coming, all of us surely are intrigued about the starting eleven tomorrow. True, that the number and variety of options are not what we would like, but not just selection but also set-up, reaction as the game unfolds, and subs will be fascinating.

(I noticed that MK swerved a predicted line up and I don't blame him.)

Yank coverage is appalling in my opinion. If anyone over there wants to see how bad it can get, track down the 'fan zone' on YouTube. If anyone over here needs saving from the low-quality "pundits", I always have links to English coverage which to be sure can be fecking grating in the pundit room but is in a different league.

It's possible to sync 5live commentary – if available – with TV coverage and that is what I prefer to do.

2-1 to us!

COYB!

Rob Dolby
13 Posted 14/01/2025 at 19:25:54
Most of the team picks itself:

Pickford
Tarkowski
Branthwaite
Gana
Mangala
Mykolenko
Ndiaye

The 4 spots up for grabs:

Right-back: Young or Patterson, I wouldn't be surprised to see the fellow Scott get a start.

Striker: Calvert-Lewin or Beto, having seen the lack of effort from Calvert-Lewin recently, I would like to see Beto get a game.

Pickford
Patterson Tarkowski Branthwaite Mykolenko
Mangala Gana
Harrison Armstrong Ndiaye
Beto.

Fingers crossed for the new manager bounce.

Coyb.

Liam Mogan
14 Posted 14/01/2025 at 19:59:12
The personnel won't change much, but hopefully the mindset will.

I'm fed up of us being so passive at home.

Jimmy Carr
16 Posted 14/01/2025 at 20:12:48
The mixed reception for Moyes here won't be mirrored at Goodison.

Be interesting to see whether Young and Doucoure get a start. Hope not. Also whether Moyes shows faith in Calvert-Lewin, I think he might.

Like it or not, Moyes knows what the faithful want to see at Goodison; if he can get the players to light the touch paper, we can turn them over.

COYB.

Conor McCourt
17 Posted 14/01/2025 at 20:12:49
I think some posters will be pleasantly surprised and intrigued by the line-up tomorrow. Moyes made a point of mentioning he wanted to speak to the players to see where they feel most comfortable. Quite an odd thing to say if you didn't feel that players were being played out of position.

I will be surprised if Young starts because he spoke about Dominic getting service so I doubt he will expect the veteran to get up and down. Dominic is a certainty to start.

The likes of Lindstrom, Ndiaye and Harrison will be particularly interesting to see if and where they will play as well as the shape he deploys.

It showed players doing little triangle drills on YouTube so I'm hoping for a little more joined-up football also. Will a dark horse or two emerge from the shackles of the Dyche era? I have an inkling it might be Harrison coming from his favourite left-hand side.

Mike Gaynes
18 Posted 14/01/2025 at 20:36:03
Conor, my hunch is Ndiaye at second striker or #10.

Which would leave room on the left for Harrison.

Andy Meighan
19 Posted 14/01/2025 at 20:51:11
McGinlay is a cracking little player, but what an irritating little fucker he is.

He refereed the game at Goodison last season, well at least he tried to, is he injured or suspended, either way I'm glad he's out.

Still a tough tough game for us and I really can't remember the last time we beat these at Goodison in the Premier League… was it under Martinez? I'm not really sure.

Simon Harrison
20 Posted 14/01/2025 at 21:02:45
Would anyone be surprised if Tarkowski is dropped for his game, and the quicker O'Brien given his first start?

I think against quicker teams and CA teams, Tarkowski is a weak point.

Moyes might have picked up on that. With regards captain, he could pick Pickford or even try and bribe Branthwaite and give him the captain's armband. I don't think Gueye made a decent captain against Peterborough.

I'd love Moyes to continue the back 3 experiment, but, in all the time Moyes has managed, he has played a back 4. The problem with us is that our full-backs aren't of the usual quality Moyes gets in.

However, I'm looking forward to the squad selection, and also if he'll try and retain his 4-1-4-1 formation from West Ham?

Mike Gaynes
21 Posted 14/01/2025 at 21:08:01
I would be astonished, Simon. Tarkowski has actually improved his level markedly over the past few weeks, especially the three consecutive draws.

And playing O'Brien and Branthwaite together for the very first time ever would be the kind of gamble Moyes is unlikely to take, especially in his first game.

Michael Kenrick
22 Posted 14/01/2025 at 21:10:33
Simon,

What's a CA team?

Simon Harrison
23 Posted 14/01/2025 at 21:20:29
Sorry, Michael, a Counter-Attack team.

ps: thanks for tidying up my latest article, though I didn't proof read it enough, as there are still typos and paragraphs in the wrong place...

Simon Harrison
24 Posted 14/01/2025 at 21:27:25
I'm not so sure Mike G, re Tarkowski, he still gets himself in bad positions, even in the four games where we got points.

He routinely leaves Branthwaite to provide cover for him, which then exposes Mykolenko. see the David Brooks goal against us. Until Tarks moved out of position, we had their attack covered. As soon as Tarkowski moved, Branthwaite had to move, and left Mykolenko with a decision which either way he went, we'd have been in trouble.

Also, I don't think Brooks could have hit and placed the ball any better!

I'm not saying Tarkowski is a bad player, but his form and abilities are definitely well below last year's high(er) standards.

Also, how is O'Brien meant to improve, and be persuaded he has a future at the club, if he isn't played?

Ian Bennett
25 Posted 14/01/2025 at 21:44:45
Pickford
Patterson
Young over Mykolenko
Tarkowski
Branthwaite

Gana
Mangala
Doucoure

Ndiaye
Calvert-Lewin
Armstrong or Beto.

I'd just like to see something different on the right as Harrison and Lindstrom have offered nothing.

Robert Tressell
26 Posted 14/01/2025 at 21:46:42
Presume a 4-5-1or 4-2-3-1.

Not too many surprises available but a good opportunity for Patterson and Lindstrom.

Paul Hewitt
27 Posted 14/01/2025 at 22:15:47
We're going to smash Villa tomorrow, I can feel it. 3-0, COYB.
Peter Mills
28 Posted 14/01/2025 at 22:19:30
There seems to be a view amongst some Evertonians regarding the new managerial appointment that “At least he’ll secure our EPL status”.

Not so easy. It’s going to be a rocky ride. 3 or 4 points against tough opponents over the next days would be huge, but it will be some battle to achieve them.

Danny O'Neill
29 Posted 14/01/2025 at 22:23:07
Well, after an emotional week for most, a big few days await, with 6 big points up for grabs.

For a few days, let’s put the pitch forks away (camp to the left) and the champagne on ice (camp to the right).

We’re all Evertonians and starting tomorrow, want those points, whoever is playing.

Mike Price
30 Posted 14/01/2025 at 22:24:45
We’ve got to get Mykolenko out of this team, he’s a total liability.
Paul Hewitt
31 Posted 14/01/2025 at 22:25:38
6 points from next 2 games. I watched Villa against West ham in the cup, they didn't look anything special. In fact West ham should have been out of sight in the first half. And as for Spurs. Do me a favour, only just beat Tamworth.
Kevin Molloy
32 Posted 14/01/2025 at 22:42:44
I wonder will Doucoure kick another ball. I suspect Harrison will be back in favour, and he's got to like NDiaye. can't see him putting up with Myko unless there is a big upturn in form (not impossible). Reckon Mangala will also kick on.

nervous about villa. we need them not to turn up. hopefully we catch them cold.

John Raftery
33 Posted 14/01/2025 at 22:45:30
Both Villa and Spurs can be flaky away from home. We are due to beat them both in the league. Our last league win over Villa was in March 2016 at the start of the Moshiri era. I think the last time we beat Spurs in a league game at Goodison was under Moyes.
Bob Parrington
34 Posted 14/01/2025 at 22:46:23
Paul, I felt exactly the same when I watched that Villa/West Ham cup game. The Hammers made Villa look very ordinary for about 75 minutes. We should definitely be looking at 3 points on this one. And Spurs at Goodison should be 3 points for us.
Ian Wilkins
35 Posted 14/01/2025 at 22:55:33
We can only expect tweaks to formation, tactics and attitude.
We have a small squad, and until all fully fit then options are limited.
It is so important that we add 2 or 3 fresh faces in January but please no panic additions.
I expect us to play further up the pitch, but we won’t want the game stretched.
Danny O'Neill
36 Posted 14/01/2025 at 23:05:04
Robert @26, I wonder if Lindstrom has had the chance to tell the manager he’s not a winger?
Brent Stephens
37 Posted 14/01/2025 at 23:09:19
Kevin " I suspect Harrison will be back in favour".

Kevin, I'd like to see Harrison start - Harrison Armstrong. I'd love to see this gifted youngster given free rein against Villa.

Nicolas Piñon
38 Posted 14/01/2025 at 23:11:40
Im happy Moyes is back
I hope he buys a good left back as ndiaye is very similar to Pienaar and he remakes the Pienaar/baines tandem in the Left side. We need a better Left back definitely.
Without garner McNeil and iriougburem (and with what weve got ) we are pretty tied up.
Could Moyes provide the magic?
Paul Ferry
39 Posted 14/01/2025 at 23:11:56
Spot on Danny. He plays inside. That's why he wanted to get away from Napoli where he was always played wide. His early successes were all playing inside and that's where I would like to see him tomorrow with Ndiaye and DCL.
Frank Wolfe
40 Posted 14/01/2025 at 23:15:26
Patterson is good going forward but still needs to work on the defensive side of his game. Thought he was badly exposed at Bournemouth. He could be good in a 3-4-3 where he has some cover but can't see Moyes going with 3 at the back especially in his first game back.
Laurie Hartley
41 Posted 14/01/2025 at 23:56:56
Maybe he will surprise us. I seem to recall he played Seamus as a wide midfielder after he came back off loan from Blackpool. Perhaps he will try the same approach with Patterson.

Harrison has been poor on the right but I would like to see him given a run wide left. Who knows this may even be the catalyst to show Mykolenko can cross a ball - provided he is running on to it. I think he can.

Calvert Lewin looks a nailed on starter to me after his comments in the press conference - with N’Diaye in support. I hope he responds accordingly.

So this is the 4 4 1 1 starting line up I am tipping:-

Pickford
Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko
Patterson, Gueye, Mangala, Harrison
Ndiaye
Calvert-Lewin

Mike Gaynes
42 Posted 14/01/2025 at 00:01:15
Simon #24, I'm just saying Moyes won't do it. Not in game #1. You asked if anybody would be surprised. My jaw would hit the floor.

Frank #40, agreed. I'd like to see -- and I suspect we will -- Patterson on the wing with Young behind him and Lindstrom central instead of Doucs.

John Dingle
43 Posted 14/01/2025 at 00:12:27
I hope, really hope, that Moysey will listen to Baines and that Bainesy will speak up in respect of the line up tomorrow. Surely Armstrong must start, agreed it’s a gamble but so is Harrison and Lindstrom who have produced nothing this year.
Pickford
Tarks, O’Brien, Branthwaite,
Patterson, Manga, Gueye, Harrison
Armstrong, Ndiaye
DCL

We have to attack Villa and Spurs, I’d we don’t what is the point in changing the manager, if it just more of the same old which has got us in this position.

Ian Campbell
44 Posted 15/01/2025 at 00:39:26
DCL will play tonight, apparently he didnt want to play in the Peterborough game as he didnt want to be cup-tied.
Eugene Stalker
45 Posted 15/01/2025 at 00:46:51
Ian #44 so pleased for DCL that he can pick and choose the games he decides to play in. We only pay him £5mn plus a year.
Bill Gienapp
46 Posted 15/01/2025 at 01:10:46
Wasn't overly thrilled about Moyes getting the job, but I am genuinely interested in the match tomorrow, which is more than I can say for the past couple months.
Ernie Baywood
47 Posted 15/01/2025 at 01:36:03
On the 'Lindstrom isn't a winger' debate... I can absolutely see Moyes playing someone ahead of Patterson who is tasked with coming inside and leaving the space out wide. So it could be Lindstrom on the right. The other alternative is Ndiaye there. Very likely we get Harrison on the left in that kind of setup.

Mykolenko will likely start. But if you've got Patterson getting forward then you probably accept that your other full back stays home. A Tony Hibbert to a Leighton Baines type situation (neither as good though).

Moyes has always had a midfielder filling in and then getting in the box for crosses. Cahill, Fellaini, Soucek. It's almost his trademark. I can't really see one in this squad - and I reckon that will be a position he'll be recruiting for that role right away. Possibly he tasks Ndiaye with doing it but he's probably not typical. I'm a bit fearful that he might give Doucoure the job.

Other than that the team probably picks itself. I'd be surprised to see Tarkowski dropped. Moyes always makes a big deal of having leaders in the side and Tarkowski is his sort of character.

On the face of things it might look very similar to what's gone before. But hopefully formation and defensive stability is where that similarity ends.

Don Alexander
48 Posted 15/01/2025 at 02:54:09
Moyes is addicted to managing struggling clubs by imposing never-changing tactics on them all, sometimes preserving their status, but sometimes not.

His process requires a beast of a striker who has pace, presence and an ability to retain possession and, not least, an ability to score. I don't think we have such a player.

His process is happy to defend very deep, concede the vast majority of ball possession to the opposition, and then punish them on the break. I don't think we have players to make a success of that.

Courtesy of Kenwright and his chosen one we have long been akin to an ocean-going cruise ship that was the dog's 40 years ago but has increasingly become a vessel that nobody in their right mind right now would board with any confidence that it could safely sail them from Liverpool to Birkenhead. We have a shit squad, no money to improve it, and no visible evidence that whoever plays for us has any ability at all to raise their personal game to justify their obscenely exotic contracts.

That's the depth of shite we've had delivered onto all of us in plain sight for years.

Friedkin? Moyes? They'll have to show hitherto unseen qualities to even be in the Premier League next season.

Ernie Baywood
49 Posted 15/01/2025 at 03:10:39
Don, I wouldn't be too sure he'll sit us particularly deep. From memory (and we might be placing too much emphasis on things he did over 10 years ago) I recall him sitting us deep when we had an old guard defence of Stubbs, Weir etc, but squeezing the game when we had faster centre backs like Jags, Yobo, Distin, Lescott.

Tarkowski isn't rapid but he's mobile. Branthwaite definitely has pace.

I think we'll see something of a middle ground. Not too deep, but a fairly deep lying midfielder picking up runners.

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