Aston Villa vs Everton presents an opportunity for an experienced Premier League coach, Roy Homan, to make an impact. Both teams have competitive squads. This match is crucial for each club to either get back on track or risk losing valuable points. Villa has struggled under manager Unai Emery but has shown glimpses of their attacking potential. Meanwhile, Everton is steadily progressing through a solid rebuilding program.
This article critiques Aston Villa vs Everton teams, key men and how each team has done so far, ending with a tactical preview of tomorrow.
Aston Villa Expected Lineup
Emery’s Tactical Approach
Aston Villa under Unai Emery High attacked and pressed the monad side. The ex Arsenal and Villarreal boss who has stressed keeping the ball, rapid changes in play and squeezing opponents high up the pitch, has made Dean Smith’s side one of the most feared teams to face since coming into England. Villa, meanwhile, are poised to mirror Emery’s expansive style against Everton.
Predicted Aston Villa Starting XI
Goalkeeper:
Emiliano Martínez Villa’s World Cup winning goalkeeper will be the number one in goal for sure. Martínez is one of the key men for his shot stopping and leadership.
Defenders:
Matty Cash (RB): The speed of Atalanta, known for his attacking runs over the same side will be a key figure in helping Villa’s attack from that end.
Ezri Konsa (CB): It is because of his defensive reads and dominance in the air that I consider him an excellent alternative for any Villa back line.
Pau Torres (CB): Signed from Villarreal without much fanfare, to be the experienced presence in Villa’s back line with his composure and range of passing.
Lucas Digne (LB): The former Everton left back, will be lining up against his old club and also provide Villa with his deadly crosses as well as set piece threat.
Midfielders:
Douglas Luiz (CDM): The Brazilian brings some of the defensive stability in midfield that Villa need and also dictates play.
John McGinn (CM): Automatic in midfield for Villa due to his energy levels and ability Statement.
Boubacar Kamara (CM): The enigmatic youngster with tremendous vision and passing ability allows Villa to build their play from a much deeper structure.
Forwards:
Moussa Diaby (RW): Bayer Leverkusen’s new signing Moussa Diaby is a pacey right winger who could bring creativity, and goal scoring ability to the team.
Ollie Watkins (ST): Be Villa’s main striker and introduce his speed along with goal scoring capabilities.
Leon Bailey (LW): Will need to do a ton of running at and pushing Everton’s defence.
Formation: 4:3:3
Another option is Koch playing as a right winger, with Bailey moving to the left. This could happen during certain phases of play, offering tactical variation to Aston Villa’s 4:3:3 formation. The team is expected to maintain a stronger midfield presence with Douglas Luiz and McGinn. Bertrand Traoré, who is strong both defensively and offensively, adds versatility. His central movements create space behind him while also stretching the play out wide. And with Watkins leading the line they will look to break on Everton at pace.
Predicted Lineup: Everton F.C.
Dyche’s Defensive Setup
Despite his high energy and direct approach, Sean Dyche has made Everton more pragmatic. The team is now much less vulnerable at Goodison Park. Dyche focuses on strong organization at the back and using speed on the counterattack. Everton is expected to play defensively against Villa, aiming to limit the space available to their opponents. From a tactical perspective, they may pack men behind the ball to disrupt Villa’s play.
Predicted Everton Starting XI
Goalkeeper:
Jordan Pickford is Still the number one at Everton, with a reputation for his quick reflexes and ability to start attacks from in goal.
Defenders:
Nathan Patterson (RB): It sounds like the right back who is still only a teenager could be up against some tricky Villa wing play, and while being rock solid at the back he will also look to provide an outlet going forward.
James Tarkowski (CB): He is going to be a real leader in the heart of defence along with his aerial threat against Villa’s attackers.
Michael Keane (CB): His physicality and guile are vital to Dyche’s defensive structure.
Vitalii Mykolenko (LB): The Ukrainian left back is a defensive presence, and will likely try to stifle Villa’s wide attackers.
Midfielders:
Amadou Onana (CDM): The physicality and the quality to tackle Onana will be important in stopping the Villas playmaker.MGANCRUTSCHEN
Idrissa Gueye (CM): A beast in the middle of the park, who will provide energy to run box to box and protect his back four.
Abdoulaye Doucouré (CM): A box to box force with exemplary ability to break the lines and get forward very quickly in Dyche’s system.
Forwards:
Alex Iwobi (RW): Watching Alex play against Chelsea in this same position, you will know how important his creativity is to the team.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (ST): Everton’s attacking lynchpin and hopefully he cause some mayhem to the Villa defence with his heading ability.
Dwight McNeil (LW): Renowned for his cross field accuracy, and tenacity Dwight McNeil will offer an influential contribution on the left wing in support of Calvert Lewin.
Formation: 4:5:1
Dyche will try to deploy Everton in a 4:5:1 formation, packing the midfield and attempting to deter Villa from exploiting space. Not going to change: Sit in deep and keep it tight at the back, look to play Villa on counters with Calvert Lewin as the main target.
Key Players to Watch
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Watkins has been right on form for Villa and remains the talisman of their attack. With his incisive running off the shoulder of defence and ruthless finishing you would put him top of the list of players Everton will have to be wary about.
Dominic Calvert Lewin (Everton F.C.)
Calvert Lewin has returned from injuryCallum Wilson scored on his return to the Newcastle side. Calvert Lewin best known for his aerial threat and physicality in that regard will be Everton’s primary forward, particularly when it comes to set pieces.
Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa)MetaData:
The Brazilian’s control of the midfield will be key to setting the tempo. The signing of the season at Villa Park, and his intelligence on the ball and with out have been crucial.
James Tarkowski (Everton F.C.)
Tarkowski, as Everton’s captain at the back can be the leader that organizes their defence making them a difficult side to break down. The 24 year old’s physicality will also be a big plus in dealing with set pieces or high balls.
Recent Form Comparison
Aston Villa’s Form
Unai Emery has it ticking along quite nicely at the moment, as Villa poses an attacking threat despite being pretty solid when they don’t have the ball. They are buying from multiple positions in the team and it has made them one of the more fun teams to watch play this season.
Recent Premier League Results:
Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Aston Villa 3-0 Newcastle United
Everton’s Form
Everton has been up and down but defensively they have levelled out somewhat under Sean Dyche. Though the goals may not have come, Everton has shown in their way they can get a result and that is by battling it out.
Recent Premier League Results:
Everton 1-0 Leeds United
Everton 0-2 Manchester City
Head to Head Records
Two of the more storied teams in football, one could say Aston Villa vs Everton have had understandably a fair few top flight meetings down the years. Until now, Aston Villa seems to be winning the rivalry as they have managed good wins against Wolves in recent years that eventually helped them climb on ladder.
Last 5 Meetings:
Aston Villa 2-1 Everton
Everton 0-1 Aston Villa
Aston Villa 3-0 Everton
Everton 1-1 Aston Villa
Aston Villa 2-2 Everton
Match Prediction
Given the recent form for both sides and how they are expected to line up, Aston Villa comes into this match as slight favourites. Villa’s greater range of top end attackers combined with the blue side’s continued issues in searching for consistency grants them a slight advantage. That said, Sean Dyche’s tactical discipline could mean this is a tight game in theory.
Predicted Score: Aston Villa 2-1 Everton
Fan Response and Future Prospects
Aston Villa fans are confident about improving under Unai Emery. They expect a top half Premier League finish. Villa supporters are eager to see how new signings, like Moussa Diaby and Pau Torres, settle into the squad. Meanwhile, Everton fans are hoping for improvement under Sean Dyche. Last season, they narrowly avoided relegation and finished mid table. Now, Evertonians are growing impatient with the team’s lack of attacking play.
Conclusion
The next fixture between Aston Villa vs Everton could be a tactical fight. The two sides have very different playing approaches. Aston Villa will aim to dominate through their attacking power. However, Everton could make it a tightly contested match with strong defensive efforts. Star players such as Ollie Watkins and Dominic Calvert Lewin,
Read More: Newcastle United vs Aston Villa: A Battle of Titans
