Everton v Aston Villa: Villa Finally Prove Size Doesn’t Matter?
There may only be a few games left to the Premiership season but there are still some highly crucial matches yet to be played. This one definitely falls into the ’six pointer’ category. Once in the tightest of tussles for fourth place, Everton now find themselves on the verge of losing fifth.
Two teams with one goal and two very different run of form. Everton have just one win to their name from their last six games - that a rather dire 1-0 against Derby. They’ve also managed to string out a couple of draws against West Ham and Birmingham. Villa, in complete opposite, are flying. 15 goals from their last three games, Martin O’Neill small squad are mounting a hefty charge for that one remaining Uefa Cup place.
Holding their Own Against the League’s Big Boys
Out of a possible 24 points available against teams in the current top six, Everton have managed to earn just one point - their late equaliser against Chelsea at the Bridge. All other games have reaped no rewards including their meeting with Villa back in September.
It is safe to say Villa have enjoyed more success against the Premiership hard-hitters. With the exception of their encounter with Manchester United, Villa have managed to take a point at each of the three other Big Four grounds - Anfield, the Emirates and that 4-4 Boxing Day epic at Stamford Bridge.
Who Holds the Key?
Gabriel Agbonlahor seems to enjoy getting stuck into the Toffess. The Villan striker has scored in both of his last two appearances against Everton and couldn’t start the game in better form having scored in each of his last three games. But he’s by no means the visitor’s only attacking option.
After last weekend’s events in front of goal, Villa became the second highest goal scorers in the Premier League, scoring 67 goals this season and second only to Manchester United. But what is more impressive is that the feat is down to many contributors; no one player has scored more than 12 goals. We really should All Hail O’Neil’s Villa Thrillers>>!
Everton meanwhile are struggling to find any regular action in front of goal. Their all-star striker Yakubu appears to have come down with another dose of end-of-season syndrome with only one goal to his name in his last 7 appearances while Everton’s other striker still trails a defender in the goal tally stakes.
Pundit’s Pick: Sweet smiles and European dreams for Villa (away win). Do you agree with this for your Premier 10 prediction? Play Now>>
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Tags: Aston Villa, Everton, Premier 10 match preview, Premier League football, Toffees, Villans
