Talking points ahead of Everton vs Aston Villa | OneFootball

Everton will be looking for a third straight win in the Premier League when they take on Aston Villa at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.

Despite beginning the season with a 1-0 loss to newly-promoted Leeds United, the Blues picked up back-to-back victories against Brighton and Wolves to head to the international break while seated fifth in the standings with six points.

David Moyes’s side will be playing their second league game at their new waterfront stadium. They beat Brighton 2-0 in front of over 50,000 supporters in the stadium’s official curtain-raiser and will be looking for a similar result.

Here are the major talking points before Everton face Aston Villa:

James Garner to deputise at left-back again

After beginning the season at left-back, James Garner is likely to be deployed in that position once again following another setback to Vitalii Mykolenko during the international break.

The Ukraine international returned from his initial injury in the cup game against Mansfield Town but felt something in his second start against Wolves away from home. The problem became worse during the international break, prompting an early return to Finch Farm.

David Moyes mentioned that Mykolenko is touch-and-go and might not be fit to start here. While Nathan Patterson and Adam Aznou have returned to training, they aren’t 100% match-ready yet, according to the Everton boss.

Premier League record in sight for Jack Grealish

Jack Grealish couldn’t have asked for a better start to his career with the Toffees. The recently turned 30-year-old won the Premier League player of the month award for the first time in his career after recording four assists in two league starts for Everton.

He is the first Everton player to register multiple assists in consecutive games, after recording two assists each against Brighton and Wolves. Grealish could become the first in Premier League history to do so in three straight matches as he prepares to face his boyhood club, Aston Villa, this Saturday.

Tyler Dibling to make his first start for Everton?

Tyler Dibling could end up making his first start for Everton against Aston Villa this weekend. In his pre-match press conference, Moyes mentioned that Iliman Ndiaye came from international duty with a slight knock, and his fitness will be checked once again before the game.

If Ndiaye misses the game, Dibling is the favourite to occupy the right wing position. Signed from Southampton for a fee in the region of £35 million, he’s one of the highest-rated prospects in the country and is a better option for the right-wing role than the likes of Dwight McNeil and Charly Alcaraz.

At 19, Dibling also has Premier League experience after making 33 appearances for the Saints last season. While he has come off the bench against Mansfield Town in the Carabao Cup, Dibling is awaiting his first start in the Royal Blue shirt.

Aston Villa arrive on Merseyside low on morale

Aston Villa have begun the season on an underwhelming note. Unai Emery’s side are yet to score a goal and have lost two of their three games after opening the season with a 0-0 draw against Newcastle United at home.

They suffered a 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace in their most recent match at home and are undoubtedly going through a rough patch right now. Compare their form with Everton, who are arriving into this game after back-to-back victories against Brighton and Wolves, and Aston Villa might be ripe for the taking.

Another three points here will help the Blues to nine points from a possible 12 and march into the Merseyside Derby brimming with confidence and belief next weekend.