The January transfer window is taking up most of the news currently on Merseyside, but Everton return to Premier League action on Sunday.
Recent results have not been kind to David Moyes as the Blues find themselves still in search of their first victory of 2026.
New signings could help get Everton back on track, but the Blues are going to be coming up against one of the in-form sides in Aston Villa.
Moyes is intent on landing new signings at Everton as he is set to pick again from a decimated squad for the trip to Villa Park.
Facing a side like Villa this weekend will likely highlight how important it would have been for Everton to have picked up wins against Brentford and Wolves.
With a seriously difficult afternoon in store for the Toffees, Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher are both agreeing on one thing ahead of the game.
Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher drop their Aston Villa vs Everton predictions
Everton have seen Jarrad Branthwaite return to training in recent days; the defender is still expected to be unavailable this weekend.
There will, however, be a return to action for Jack Grealish as he is set to face his former side at Villa Park following a one-game suspension.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, both Keane and Carragher are expecting Everton to receive a heavy beating against Unai Emery’s side.
Are Everton going to get back to winning ways against Aston Villa? 🫣
Let us know your score predictions below! 😫
“Everton have been that bad, but David Moyes can pull a result out,” said Keane.
“He can, can’t he! When you don’t expect it,” replied Carragher.
Despite the positive comments towards the 62-year-old manager, Keane then predicted a 2-0 win for Villa and Carragher a 3-0 home win.
It won’t surprise many to see Villa go into the game at the weekend as the heavy favourites given the issues Everton have experienced recently.
Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye will not be returning for Everton over the coming days as they are also set to play in the AFCON final on Sunday.
An uphill task lies ahead of the Blues.
Everton’s European hopes are fading
Of course, not many fans would have expected Everton to push for the European spots at the start of the season.
Moyes was keen for Everton to target European qualification to avoid the limbo that the Blues currently find themselves in the Premier League table.
Who are you picking to start against Villa if you were David Moyes? 🤨
💡Or would you start both up front?
Although those dreams were a stretch, the recent results have meant that Everton are lingering in between the European fight and the relegation battle.
The Toffees are in no-man’s land and a defeat at the weekend could really open up the gap on the European spots.
On the other hand, a surprise victory would not only boost morale, but three points could shoot Everton right back into the mix.
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