Paul Merson thinks he knows why Everton have struggled so much recently

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Everton are back in Premier League action on Sunday as they take on Aston Villa in the West Midlands.

Everton are still searching for their first win of 2026, having lost to Brentford and Sunderland, with a 1-1 draw against Wolves sandwiched in between.

Jake O’Brien explained that his teammates have been so fatigued lately, with the festive period taking a toll on David Moyes’ small squad.

The Toffees will certainly be up against it this weekend, as Villa are flying high in third place, six points behind league leaders Arsenal.

Who are you picking to start against Villa if you were David Moyes? 🤨

💡Or would you start both up front?

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Ahead of the clash at Villa Park, Paul Merson gave his score prediction after explaining why he thinks Everton have struggled so much recently.

• READ MORE: Former Everton star aiming to make sensational return to football after almost three years out injured

Paul Merson explains why Everton have been so poor lately

Writing in his Sportskeeda column, Merson thinks Everton have really suffered without Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

“Everton have really lost their way recently. They got well beat by Brentford, nervously held on for a draw against Wolves and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Sunderland on penalties. That’s one win in seven games now!”

Are Everton going to get back to winning ways against Aston Villa? 🫣

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Merson continued: “Iliman Ndiaye will only return after the AFCON final and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is still injured. Without the two of them alongside Jack Grealish, Everton are not the same team.”

The former Arsenal playmaker then gave his prediction, and it doesn’t make for pretty reading from an Everton perspective.

“I’m backing Villa to secure a comfortable win. I hope Grealish gets a good reception at Villa park, but I doubt he will.”

Prediction: Aston Villa 3-0 Everton

Everton’s recent record vs Aston Villa

Everton’s last five meetings against Villa suggest they’re in for a really challenging game, as they’ve won just once.

The Toffees haven’t beaten the West Midlanders since September 2023, and that was in the Carabao Cup.

Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher both expect Everton to lose on Sunday, so the odds are heavily stacked against them.

But, that underdog role could suit Moyes’ men, who thrived under that sort of environment in the second half of last season.