Everton host Aston Villa at Goodison Park as both teams continue their fight to secure Premier League survival.
Victory could see Everton climb to 15th if Wolves lose elsewhere on Friday evening, whilst Villa can stay 11th with a win.
Team News
Amadou Onana is a doubt for Everton after he was substituted with a knock to his knee in last weekend’s win over Leeds.
James Garner (back) could also feature if he is declared match fit by club doctors.
Nathan Patterson (medial ligament), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (hamstring) and Andros Townsend (knee) remain absent.
Aston Villa could be without Robin Olsen after he missed their defeat against Arsenal with a knock.
Jed Steer and Diego Carlos (both Achilles) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Everton host Aston Villa at Goodison Park in a 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday 25 February, untelevised in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Everton are winless in their last seven meetings against Aston Villa (D2, L5).
- Aston Villa have lost three of their last six visits to Everton (W2, D1, L3).
- Villa’s Emiliano Buendia has scored in each of his last two appearances against Everton (W2).
- No Everton player has made more interceptions in the top-flight this season than Idrissa Gueye (38).
- Ollie Watkins has scored in each of Villa’s last four league matches (W1, L3).
Prediction
Given their woeful away form this season, Everton certainly do look like they will need to maximise their results at home if want to stay up again, yet both home wins under Sean Dyche have been fairly scrappy especially given how lucky they were to beat Leeds last week from a wonder cross.
Villa though really let three points slip from their grasp in their loss against Arsenal because they were excellent in their turnovers and end product during the first half, yet small defensive errors in the second half proved their downfall from 2-1 up at the break.
Dyche’s Toffees though are going to have to improve their finishing because if Villa turn up with the same performance and tidier defending, I can’t see past a Villa win unless the Goodison Park faithful can again create a daunting atmosphere for the visitors.
Prediction: Everton 0-2 Aston Villa
Result: Everton 0-2 Aston Villa
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