Prediction: Everton vs Aston Villa

Verdict: Aston Villa draw no bet

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to extend on their remarkable Premier League romp, Aston Villa will travel to Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.

Everton

Starting with the hosts, while Everton might have found themselves at the heart of a major Premier League flurry last month, Sean Dyche’s side have largely come crashing back down to earth. Although the Blues might have snatched an FA Cup replay away at Crystal Palace last week, they have failed to muster a single win from any of their previous five appearances against Premier League opposition. Signing off 2023 with a nightmare display away at Wolves as they slumped to a 3-0 drumming, Everton are still at the centre of a relegation scrap. Hit with a hugely controversial 10-point deduction back in November, Dyche’s side will have plenty of pressure on their shoulders here. Likewise, winning just a pair of their last six showdowns at Goodison Park, Everton will face another stern challenge on Sunday afternoon.

Team News

Successfully overturning Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s FA Cup red card, the England international will spearhead Everton’s charge on Sunday afternoon. However, once again missing out away at Crystal Palace last week, the Blues are expected to be without Abdoulaye Doucoure here.

Likewise, away with Senegal at this month’s Africa Cup of Nations, Everton are unable to call upon Idrissa Gueye. While Jarrad Braithwaite might remain linked with a potential big-money move away from Goodison Park, the England U21 international will once again partner James Tarkowski at the back.

Aston Villa

As for the visitors, extending on their FA Cup adventure last week as they snatched a late 1-0 victory away at Championship outfit Middlesbrough, Aston Villa have continued to break a string of records this season. Remarkably battling it out at the top of the table, Unai Emery’s men are sat in pole position to punch a famous Champions League ticket this year. Signing off 2023 with an action-packed 3-2 win against relegation scrappers Burnley, the ex-Arsenal boss certainly finds the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Breezing their way to a Europa Conference League ticket last month, Aston Villa will be smelling a potential opportunity on Sunday afternoon. Claiming a thumping 4-0 victory when they welcomed Everton to the Midlands for their reverse Premier League meeting on August 20th, Emery will be calling on a repeat performance at Goodison this weekend.

Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues, Aston Villa will once again be without the likes of Emi Buendia, Lucas Digne, Tyrone Mings and Youri Tielemans this weekend. However, returning a three-match ban last month, French international Boubacar Kamara will make a Premier League return on Sunday afternoon.

Already notching nine Premier League strikes this season, attacking talisman Ollie Watkins will have a leading role to play at Goodison. Likewise, adding a further six top-flight goals, Jamaica international Leon Bailey will join Watkins in the final third.

Key Factors to Consider

When Everton and Aston Villa met for their reverse Premier League meeting on August 20th, Sunday’s guests picked up a 4-0 romp. Emery’s side have lost just one of their previous 13 straight appearances across all competitions. Everton are without a single win from any of their last five meetings against Premier League opposition. Likewise, the Blues have recorded just a pair of wins from their previous six appearances at Goodison Park. Aston Villa have won all of their last three trips to Goodison Park by an aggregate score of 5-1.

Conclusion

Losing just one of their previous 13 appearances across all competitions and riding a remarkable wave of momentum, Aston Villa will be looking to make another statement of intent here. Storming their way to a 4-0 romp when they welcomed Everton to the Midlands for their reverse Premier League meeting on August 20th, Emery’s side will be seeking a repeat performance this weekend. With the Blues once again at the heart of another scrap and failing to win any of their last five showdowns against top-flight opposition, we are backing an away draw no bet for the Champions League chasers here.

Verdict: Aston Villa draw no bet

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster