Everton play host to Aston Villa on Saturday as the Premier League makes its return from the first international break of the season.
David Moyes will be keen to keep the momentum going on Merseyside having won two of the opening three games.
It has been a promising start to the campaign for Everton, with some exciting individual performances along the way.
Ally McCoist admitted Everton have proven him wrong already this season, having seen Jack Grealish flourish on Merseyside.
There will be many in the same boat, with Everton one of the early surprise packages of the campaign.
Ahead of the game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Chris Sutton has now shared his prediction for the game against Unai Emery’s Villa.
Chris Sutton shares Everton vs Aston Villa prediction
Paul Merson is expecting Everton to beat Villa at the weekend and continue their fine form.
Villa have not actually won any of their three opening games in the league this season, with Emery’s side in desperate need of three points on Saturday.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Sutton has waxed lyrical about Everton’s start to the season, but still thinks Villa will nab a 1-1 draw.
“What a great game this is for Jack Grealish against his old club,” said Sutton.
“He has been on fire for Everton since joining them from Manchester City, and it’s great to see him playing with a smile on his face. He has been the real creative spark for them this season and if he carries on this form he will be well and truly in the mix to make the England squad for next summer’s World Cup.
“So much has changed about Everton since David Moyes lost his first game back in charge against Villa, at Goodison Park in January, and not just that they now have a new ground.”
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has been so impressed with Grealish, who he has admitted is the first in and last out of training at Finch Farm.
“You just sense that, with Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye, they have the attacking threat now that they had lacked for a long time. They will be full of belief, against an Aston Villa side who badly need a positive result after their slow start to the new campaign,” he added.
“The obvious prediction, based on form, is to back Everton to win but I actually don’t think Villa will keep on losing.”
The recently turned 30-year-old will be facing his boyhood club on Saturday, but he will remain focused on maintaining his fine form as he bids for an England call-up.
Sutton is loving what Grealish is doing
It would be hard for any neutral not to enjoy what Grealish is currently producing for Everton this season.
There is no other player in the Premier League who has provided more assists (4) than the on-loan Everton forward.
Thomas Tuchel has provided Grealish with some England hope ahead of October’s international break, but insisted he has to show consistency.
Coming up against his boyhood club, Grealish will be keen to put on a display, with Everton potentially able to finish the weekend inside the top four.
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