New-look Aston Villa travel to Goodison Park looking to secure an important first win under Remi Garde.
The travelling Villans installed the Frenchman after firing former boss Tim Sherwood and started their new era in positive fashion, holding league leaders Manchester City to a 0-0 draw at Villa Park.
Despite that result, Villa remain rooted to the foot of the table with an insipid five points and a goal difference of -10.
Meanwhile, their hosts will enter the fixture on the back of an encouraging fortnight prior to the international break. A 6-2 thrashing of Sunderland was followed by a 1-1 draw at high-flying West Ham, a match which the Toffees might well have taken more from.
For Martinez’s men, the clash marks the start of a crucial run of fixtures against lower-ranked opposition, leaving the door ajar for the Toffees to make an assault on the league table.
Key Battle – Romelu Lukaku vs Micah Richards
The battle shapes up to be one built entirely on physicality. Both have been in a rich vein of form in their own right, with Lukaku scoring twice in as many games with an equal number of assists.
After a season of constant haemorrhaging of goals, mainly under Sherwood, the new coach effect seems to have rubbed off on Villa skipper Richards, who marshalled a sturdy defence in his side’s scoreless draw with title aspirants City.
Richards’ strength and influence will be critical in stifling the effectiveness of the equally tenacious Lukaku, in particular his hold-up play around the half-way line were he will look to bring his team mates into play.
Team News
Young left-back Brendan Galloway is a doubt for the home side after picking up a thigh strain in the 1-1 draw with the Hammers. However, the Blues are reportedly confident that the England under-21 international will prove his fitness in time for Saturday’s match.
Injured first-choice left-back Leighton Baines is reported by Sky to be targeting a return to the pitch, though whether Martinez is willing to risk his star veteran is both unclear and unlikely.
Everton Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Howard (GK); Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Galloway; McCarthy, Barry; Deulofeu, Barkley, Kone; Lukaku.
For Villa, Gabby Agbonlahor is a chance to return to the fray after missing the City match through a lower leg injury. Ashley Westwood is also expected to play, while Jordan Amavi will need replacing after being sidelined for the season with a knee injury. Kieran Richardson looks likely to replace him.
Aston Villa Expected XI (4-3-3): Guzan (GK); Hutton, Richards, Clark, Richardson; Veretout, Sanchez, Gueye; Sinclair, Gil, Ayew.
Head-to-Head
The head-to-head in this fixture is shaded fractionally by the visitors, with 65 wins to Everton’s 61. There has been 49 draws between the clubs.
Previous Meeting
Villa Park was the setting for the most recent meeting between the Birmingham club and the Merseysiders. The Villans emerged victorious on that occasion, winning 3-2 after a brilliant double from since-departed striker Christian Benteke.
Prediction
Villa will feed on a new-found confidence stemming from the appointment of Garde and their hard-fought draw against City, but an away win against an on-song Everton may prove a stretch too far for the Villans, particularly with goalscoring stocks that remain shallow.
Everton 2 Aston Villa 0
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