Aston Villa Host Everton With Second Place in Sight | OneFootball

The Premier League returns this weekend following an intense round of domestic cup fixtures, and attention now shifts firmly back to league ambition and endurance.

Among Sunday’s mid-afternoon offerings is a compelling clash at Villa Park, where Aston Villa welcome Everton. For Villa, this fixture represents far more than just another matchday. It is an opportunity to steady a slight wobble and reaffirm their credentials near the summit of the table. Everton, meanwhile, arrive in Birmingham with a point to prove after a difficult festive period, but with away form that suggests they will not be overawed.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa remain one of the league’s most intriguing propositions. Sitting joint-second alongside Manchester City and just six points behind leaders Arsenal going into the weekend, it feels Unai Emery’s side still possesses enormous potential.

Yet recent form has introduced an element of doubt.

One win from their last three Premier League outings has blunted momentum, and with margins so fine at the top, any further slip could prove fatal to any lingering title hopes.

That said, Villa Park continues to be a formidable stronghold. The hosts have won 12 consecutive home matches across all competitions. Emery will expect his side to impose themselves on a weakened Everton squad, particularly as they can climb to second with a victory.

Much of Villa’s attacking fluency has been driven by the continued excellence of Morgan Rogers, whose 11 league goal involvements have marked him out as one of the season’s breakout performers.

Defensively, there is welcome reinforcement. Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings both returned to the squad last week. Torres started in the impressive 2–1 win away at Tottenham in the FA Cup. Mings, absent since November’s defeat at Liverpool, may also make his return.

The only lingering concern comes in goal. World Cup winner Emiliano Martínez remains doubtful after sustaining an injury in Villa’s last league outing, a frustrating draw with Crystal Palace. His availability is yet to be confirmed by the manager.

Everton

Everton’s season has lost momentum.. A stuttering festive period has seen the Toffees slide into the bottom half of the table, with attacking issues and injuries at the core of their struggles.

Forwards Thierno Barry and Beto have both struggled for goals, and Everton’s lack of cutting edge has cost them valuable points.

A lengthy list of absentees adds further woes to Everton’s hopes. Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye will miss the match due to their involvement in the AFCON final. More promising news surrounds the return of defensive duo Seamus Coleman and Jarrad Branthwaite, though it comes too late for Sunday’s fixture.

Speaking on Friday, Moyes confirmed they are making positive progress but are not yet match-fit.

Jack Grealish, however, returns to the squad after serving a one-match suspension and will hope to build on his eight Premier League goal involvements this season. He provided two assists in an early January defeat to Brentford but has failed to score since the start of December.

Despite their league position, Everton’s away form has been quietly impressive of late. They have lost just one of their last five away league matches, winning three during that run. While overall results remain inconsistent, just one win in their last six league games, they have emerged as a side difficult to beat on the road.

Takeaway

An exciting Sunday showdown awaits as two world-class managers attempt to set the tone for the new year. For Villa, maintaining consistent form is essential, with their ability to shrug off recent disappointments to be tested. Moyes, on the other hand, must rally his injury-stricken side to take whatever they can from one of the league’s toughest opponents.