Premier League preview and odds: Everton vs. Aston Villa

Published on: 17/11/2015

Premier League preview and odds: Everton vs. Aston Villa

November 21, 2015 15:00pm - Goodison Park

Premier League

Two sides with just a single win between them in the last five fixtures will go head-to-head on Saturday, as mid-table regulars Everton welcome a stricken Aston Villa side to Goodison Park in the Barclays Premier League.

Everton looking for third home win of the season

Everton are nestled cosily in mid-table, just above their city neighbours Liverpool and with only goal difference separating the sides. While there are no prizes for finishing above their rivals, their relative league positions has often acted as a handy barometer of performance for the Blue half of the city. A win on Saturday would keep them one step ahead of the Reds who will play Manchester City later the same day.

With just one win in their last five fixtures, the Toffees will be hoping to take advantage when the leagues bottom-ranked team makes the trip to Merseyside on Saturday.

Roberto Martinezs men come into this game on the back of a hard-earned 1-1 draw away to European candidates West Ham United. Prior to that they destroyed Sunderland 6-2 at Goodison Park in what was only their second home win of the season. The Toffees have yet to keep a clean sheet in any of their home games this term.

Villa starting from scratch

When Remi Garde took his first full training session at Aston Villa, they had lost seven games in a row and had not kept a clean sheet in 10 games. They immediately fixed that with a 0-0 draw at home to league leaders Manchester City before the international break.

With that foundation to build on, the French Coach is now going in search of his first Premier League win as Villa boss. A victory in Liverpool this weekend could lift his side off the bottom of the table depending on other results. He will be buoyed by the fact that the Villains only win of the season so far was achieved on the road.

Team news

Everton have been plagued by injuries this season but things could be eased slightly by the imminent return of Brendan Galloway, Tyias Browning, Tony Hibbert, Steven Pienaar and Bryan Oviedo. Meanwhile, Muhamed Besic and Leighton Baines both remain doubtful.

Villa have had their fair share of injury issues too with Rudy Gestede and Jordan Amavi out of action and Ashley Westwood on the doubtful list. Meanwhile, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Craig Gardner and Jores Okore could all return.

Recent form (League)

Everton: DWLLD

Aston Villa: DLLLLL

Betting odds and tips

After securing a draw against the league leaders in his first full game in charge, it seems that Remi Gardes arrival has had an instant impact on Villa. Whether they can carry that momentum forward remains to be seen and it also makes this game a tough one to predict.

However, with Evertons inability to keep a clean sheet at home, and their visitors record of scoring in all but one of their away games, the price of 5/6 from Bet365 for Both Teams to Score looks like the choice bet.

Published on: 17/11/2015

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (17/11/2015 15:20:38) but are subject to change.