Key events
3 min McGinn’s bounces through to Bailey beyond the far post. He tries to cut back inside Mykolenko but slips over.
2 min “Good morning from Pittsburgh!” says Eric Peterson. It’s a bit of a dodgy situation for Everton but not quite as dire as it seems. The Toffees get Abdoulaye Doucoure back today, whose attacking influence from midfield is crucial. His injury absence coincides precisely with their five-game winless run in all comps, and the Toffees had won their previous four. Also, Villa’s form isn’t quite as glossy as their table position when you look under the surface.
“Their recent games, working backward: needing a late deflected goal to survive Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, allowing a tying goal to 10-man Burnley before their PK winner, blowing a two-goal halftime lead and losing to Manchester United, and trailing in stoppage time before salvaging a draw against Sheffield United.”
Yes I’m sure Everton will be fine, and it won’t be a huge surprise if they win today. I was just struck by how tough their fixtures are until mid-April.
1 min And they’re off. Villa are kicking from left to right as we watch.
A quick reminder of the teams
Everton (possible 4-2-3-1) Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Onana, Garner; Harrison, Doucoure, Danjuma; Calvert-Lewin.
Substitutes: Virginia, Patterson, Keane, Godfrey, Gomes, McNeil, Dobbin, Chermiti, Beto.
Aston Villa (possible 4-2-2-2) Martinez; Konsa, Diego Carlos, Lenglet, Alex Moreno; Kamara, Douglas Luiz; Bailey, McGinn; Diaby, Watkins.
Substitutes: Marschall, Wright, Cash, Tielemans, Zaniolo, Duran, Dendoncker, Iroegbunam.
Referee David Coote.
Don’t worry Sean, it evens itself out oh.
Look, this piece is more relevant for a Nottingham Forest match, but it still applies to both teams, just about.
The Everton captain Seamus Coleman, a Gary Cooper de nos jours, is making his 355th Premier League appearance today – a new club record. He’s not in the top 10 for overall league appearances, but we don’t talk about that. What happened before 1992 stays in before 1992.
Team news
Two changes for Everton from the FA Cup draw at Crystal Palace. Jordan Pickford replaces Joao Virginia in goal, while Abdoulaye Doucoure returns from injury. He’s in for Dwight McNeil, who is only fit enough for the bench.
Villa made a load of changes for last weekend’s FA Cup win at Middlesbrough, so it’s probably more relevant that there’s only one change from the side that beat Burnley in their last leaguer game: Boubacar Kamara in, the injured Jacob Ramsey out.
Everton (possible 4-2-3-1) Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Onana, Garner; Harrison, Doucoure, Danjuma; Calvert-Lewin.
Substitutes: Virginia, Patterson, Keane, Godfrey, Gomes, McNeil, Dobbin, Chermiti, Beto.
Aston Villa (possible 4-2-2-2) Martinez; Konsa, Diego Carlos, Lenglet, Alex Moreno; Kamara, Douglas Luiz; Bailey, McGinn; Diaby, Watkins.
Substitutes: Marschall, Wright, Cash, Tielemans, Zaniolo, Duran, Dendoncker, Iroegbunam.
Referee David Coote.
Preamble
Surely it’s not happening again? Less than a month ago Everton were seven points clear of the relegation places, and the FA could shove the other 10 points where they pleased. But after three straight defeats, two of them noble efforts against title challengers, they are only above Luton on goal difference. Everton should be fine, because Sean Dyche has turned them into a serious football team again, but they may have to go through the wringer first.
This is Everton’s run of Premier League games, starting with the trip to Tottenham just before Christmas.
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Spurs (A) 1-2
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Man City (H) 1-3
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Wolves (A) 0-3
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Aston Villa (H)
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Fulham (A)
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Spurs (H)
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Man City (A)
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C Palace (H)
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Brighton (A)
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West Ham (H)
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Man Utd (A)
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Liverpool (H)
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Bournemouth (A)
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Newcastle (A)
Now that’s what you call a tough mudder. It gets easier in April and May – how could it not – but Everton may not have the serene second half of the season that many of us envisaged. The good news is that Dyche, a man with two of the steadiest knees in English football, will hold his nerve even if things get hairy again. And Everton’s recent home performances, most notably the wins over Newcastle and Chelsea, suggest Goodison Park might be becoming the thrillingly inhospitable place of old.
If Everton retain a healthy mental state, those home games in particular will be opportunities rather than impediments. That includes today’s admittedly tough match against Aston Villa, who are still right in the title race despite a mini blip. A win today would move them up to second, behind Liverpool on goal difference. It would also leave Everton thankful for their goal difference.
Kick off 2pm.