David Moyes takes charge of his first game since returning to Everton against Aston Villa on Wednesday night.
After the club parted ways with Sean Dyche just hours before their FA Cup third round win against Peterborough last Thursday, the Toffees are back with a familiar face. Moyes spent more than a decade at Goodison Park before taking the Manchester United job in 2013, although he returns as the Premier League's longest-serving manager after joining in 2002 as the division's youngest.
His first task is to reignite a group of players who had gone as far as they could under Dyche. The Toffees are currently 16th in the table and just one point above the drop zone, but they have played a game less than their relegation rivals.
Everton are taking on a Villa side that have undoubtedly suffered from the extra burden of Champions League football this season. The Villans have impressed on their return to Europe's premier club competition, but their domestic form has dipped.
Unai Emery's side have won less than 50% of their league games so far. However, they beat Premier League opponents West Ham to advance to the FA Cup fourth round last week.
Here it is 90 minutes guide for Wednesday Premier League collision.
Everton vs Aston Villa H2H record (last five matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Everton |
Aston Villa |
|---|---|
|
Everton 2-0 Peterborough – 09/01/25 |
Aston Villa 2-1 West Ham – 10/01/25 |
|
Bournemouth 1-0 Everton – 04/01/25 |
Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester – 04/01/25 |
|
Everton 0-2 Nottingham Forest – 29/12/24 |
Aston Villa 2-2 Brighton – 30/12/24 |
|
Man City 1-1 Everton – 26/12/24 |
Newcastle 3-0 Aston Villa – 26/12/24 |
|
Everton 0-0 Chelsea – 22/12/24 |
Aston Villa 2-1 Man City – 21/12/24 |
|
country |
TV channel/live streaming |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
TNT Sports 2, discovery+, discovery+ app |
|
United States |
fuboTV, nbcsports.com, NBC Sports App, UNIVERSO NOW, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, USA Network, UNIVERSO |
|
Canada |
fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network 3 Canada |
We shouldn't expect drastic personnel changes from Moyes, nor a systematic overhaul, but several players will return to the XI after being left out for Thursday's FA Cup win against Peterborough.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is among the names to be included in Moyes' starting line-up on Wednesday. Dwight McNeil, however, will be out once again with a knee injury.
Everton supporters may have already seen the last of Armando Broja as he was stretchered off last Thursday with what looked to be a devastating knee injury. Broja joins Tim Iroegbunam on the other side.
James Garner could return from a back problem after three months out.
Everton predicted line-up against Aston Villa (4-5-1): Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Lindstrom, Gueye, Mangala, Doucoure, Ndiaye; Calvert-Lewin.
Emery could call on striker Jhon Duran after he served the latest of his three-match ban on Friday night, but Ollie Watkins is likely to keep his place in the starting line-up.
Leon Bailey is back to play a more prominent role in John McGinn's absence, with the Jamaican poised for a starting spot on the right. McGinn is currently out with a hamstring problem.
villa are also without Pau Torres due to a foot injury, while Diego Carlos is a doubt. Tyrone Mings looks ready to partner Ezri Konsa at Goodison. Ross Barkley is out with a calf problem.
Aston Villa predicted formation against Everton (4-3-3): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Onana, Tielemans; Bailey, Watkins, Rogers.
Some Everton supporters may hold a grudge against Moyes for the way he left the club more than a decade ago, but there is no doubt the returning boss will have a rapturous welcome at Goodison on Wednesday.
Moyes must build on the foundations laid by Dyche and eventually evolve Everton into a dangerous counter-attacking team that is perhaps less predictable out of possession. It won't happen right away, but expect the hosts to be inspired here.
Aston Villa are the 14th best away team in the Premier League this season, losing five of their nine games on the road, while Everton have shown they can get results against the division's best.
Villans should be on upset alert.