Some could argue that Everton have exceeded expectations in the Premier League under David Moyes. Not quite at the level of Aston Villa, of course, but their current standing of 12th is still one many Toffees fans would have grabbed if offered pre-season.
Ahead of Sunday’s late kick-off between the Toffees and the Villains at Villa Park, Everton are sitting extremely comfortably in mid-table.
Yes, the Toffees have won only two of their last six Premier League matches – albeit that FA Cup exit at Sunderland’s hands was a major disappointment – but there will be no relegation battle this year on the blue side of Stanley Park.
What changes do you want to see on Sunday? 🤔
Moyes will be limited to what he can change with this current squad
Everton travel to surprise title challengers Aston Villa 15 points clear of the bottom three at the start of the weekend.
David Moyes’ opposite number Unai Emery could hardly be more complimentary in his assessment of Sunday’s challengers either.
And, while Villa go into this clash as the obvious favourites, Emery will not be taking the Toffees for granted.
Unai Emery hails Everton’s fighting spirit ahead of Aston Villa clash
Everton held Aston Villa to a 0-0 draw in September, albeit that was when the team sitting third in the Premier League appeared to have forgotten their route to goal. The Toffees also stunned Manchester United at Old Trafford with ten men, while Arsenal needed a Viktor Gyokeres penalty to break their resistance.
Everton will be without Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye this weekend – his Senegal side will face Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations final – but Emery is still expecting a tight and tense affair.
“[Everton] are performing away very well and they are competing fantastic,” Emery said during his pre-match press conference. “They have some circumstances, like two players involved in the Africa Cup of Nations, Ndiaye and Gueye.
“Some players might be out injured or suspended, but I think they’re competing fantastic. They’re always a team that is difficult.”
Emery has only lost twice against the Toffees in nine league and cup meetings. Each of the last five encounters have been decided by a single goal, however.
“We respect them with the circumstances they have because we have our own circumstances with some players,” adds Emery, who will be without Emi Martinez, Amadou Onana, Boubacar Kamara and Ross Barkley.
“How we are being consistent and how we will need to be consistent on Sunday to get three points in Villa Park is our objective.
“We’re focusing on this match after ten days not playing a match in the Premier League. We must remind ourselves of the importance of this competition. It’s the priority for us.”
Who has been the bigger miss… Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall or Iliman Ndiaye? 🤔
Finally some good news coming Everton's way!
Moyes could include Braiden Graham as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall remains out
At his own press conference, David Moyes spoke warmly about Braiden Graham amid speculation that the Toffees teenager could be involved against Aston Villa.
Everton will not have Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall available to them, however. He, Carlos Alcaraz and Tim Iroegbunam are still working their way back to fitness after recent injury issues.
“They’re getting closer but they’re not training yet,” Moyes said.
“I think Braiden is doing well. It’s probably at the moment that we need him to build up his physicality and his all-round speed.
“We’re pleased that we’re getting some of the young boys a chance to be around it. We’ll see how they continue.
“[Villa] have been remarkable in recent seasons,” the Scot added. “They have shown great investment, they have got Aston Villa back where they want to be. So I think Villa are beginning to challenge all the top teams now. They have got an excellent manager.
“There are a lot of good things that Villa are doing.”
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