Premier League: I Fear for Everton at Villa Park

Aston Villa vs Everton

I don’t speak as a Toffees fan…of course…but when David Moyes takes his Everton side to meet Aston Villa in a crunch Premier League clash on Sunday, the wily Scot will know how tough his task is.

The Merseysiders face the Villans at a time when manager Unai Emery’s stock is at its highest. The Spanish coach, one of the best man managers in the game, has led Villa to third place in the Premier League table, and his team is flying high in the UEFA Europa League, with five wins from six, as well as reaching the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Meanwhile the Toffees crashed out of the FA Cup last weekend, on penalties, in an all Premier League clash against Sunderland, and they are without a win so far in 2026 and down in 12^th in the league table. Villa drew away to Crystal Palace last time out in the league and the latest Premier League 2026 betting odds say they will finish where they currently sit; meanwhile Everton drew at home to bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers. 

Emery will be determined to keep the pressure up on leaders Arsenal, and second placed Manchester City, and that spells bad news for the Toffees.  

 

Talking Points

Villa are looking to regain their momentum

After a relatively slow start to the campaign, a run of 11 consecutive victories for Aston Villa, including a 2-1 win over Arsenal saw them rocket up the league table and thrive in Europe. But defeat to the Gunners on 30^th December ended that run with a jolt. Villa recovered to beat Nottingham Forest 3-1, but then drew a blank away to Palace, and they now need to build up steam again with their Premier League 2026 results

Manchester City will be embroiled in the derby on Saturday and, against a Manchester United team with a new manager that is no walk in the park, and a win for Villa over Everton could see them go second, while Arsenal have a tricky test away to Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening.

Much like his competitors, Emery will be in the transfer market during January as he seeks to strengthen his hand, and the departure of Donyell Malen has left a space in the attacking unit. Ollie Watkins has hit form in recent weeks and attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers, who scored in the FA Cup win over Tottenham Hotspur, has been in super form. And now reports in the Midlands suggest that former Villan Tammy Abraham may be on his way back. Currently at Besiktas, on loan from AS Roma, Abraham will be welcomed back to the club where he scored 25 goals in 37 games.

Emery needs a deep squad to keep the pace up, but he already has enough to beat Everton.           

 

Grealish is ready to meet his old mates

The Toffees have hit a sticky patch since the turn of the year and they have struggled at both ends of the pitch, though Moyes’ set up is based on a usually solid back four, marshalled by James Tarkowski and with Jordan Pickford as the last line of defence. Up front the Toffees are less impressive, with a choice between Thierno Barry and Beto in attack; both big units but not particularly quick. And winger Dwight McNeil seems to be struggling.

So the return from suspension of Jack Grealish is a big boost to the Toffees as he is still the man who can win a game with a moment of trickery. His big money move from Aston Villa, where he was a fans favourite, to Manchester City, has not worked out as he hoped, but Grealish remains star quality and he loves to hog the limelight, and where better than at Villa Park? With Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye still away at AFCON the weight of expectation sits with Grealish and, if he has an off day then I struggle to see how Everton will break down the Villans.          

 

History

The head to head results are 25 to 14 in Villa’s favour, and there have been 18 draws over the past 57 games, and at Villa Park it is 16 to five with 11 draws.

The two teams played out a 0-0 draw in October, while last season’s encounter at Villa Park was a five goal thriller as the Villans fought back to win 3-2 with Watkins scoring a brace.  

With four wins, one draw and one defeat from the last five games Emery’s team is in great shape while Everton have won one, drawn three and lost two.    

 

Betting Tip

Aston Villa are at SBOTOP odds of 1.65 with the Draw at 3.80 and Everton at 5.00, and I only see this match going one way; a comfortable home win and a fruitless day for the Toffees.

   

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