2010-11 Premier League: Aston Villa vs. Everton - Match Preview
The only obvious thing common between Aston Villa and Everton is that both teams last season were fighting for a 4th spot in the Premier League. Neither, though, managed to get their desired finish. However, there may be one more thing that can draw some similarities between the two. Back in 2005, Everton managed to finish 4th in the league, but fell at the playoff stages for the UEFA Champions League and failed to make it to the group stages. And just this Thursday, Aston Villa lost the 2nd leg of their UEFA Europa League playoff against Rapid Vienna and now has just the domestic competition to focus on.
This season, Villa has been hampered with various problems: the departure of Martin O’Neill, who had been at the club for 4 years, was a big blow. The exit of the manager was followed by one of their most dominant players, James Milner, also parting ways with the club. The morale of the team may be at an all-time low. They lost to Newcastle 6-0, which is their biggest defeat in two decades, and later the exit from the Europa League may have just added to their woes.
As far as momentum is concerned, Everton may clearly have the edge, as they beat Huddersfield 5-1 midweek in the Carling Cup tie. However, the Merseyside has not had the best start to the Premier League season; they have managed to get just 1 point from their first two games. Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill remain the two most crucial players for Everton. Manager David Moyes has said that he is not bothered by the slow start. He said that they did throw away 2 points from verge of victory last weekend, but they still remain on course to finish 4th in the league. He said that Aston Villa is a good team but this may be the best time to play them. Moyes went on to say that his team has always believed in the importance of work ethic and would continue to do the same.
Last season, the two teams played two draws against each other. The same fixture ended 2-2, while at Merseyside it was a goal each. So there is not much difference between the two teams, and it would be the team that plays better on the day that may have the edge.
Everton do not have too many injury worries and David Moyes is likely to have a full squad to choose from. Everton are expected to go in with a 4-4-1-1 formation; Diniyar Bilyaletdinov is expected to be in the attacking midfield position while new boy Jermaine Beckford may get a start upfront as the lone striker.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa are expected to favour their traditional 4-5-1 approach. Even though they are playing at home, one man upfront seems to be the way interim manager MacDonald prefers to play. Stephen Ireland, who was swapped for James Milner from Manchester City, is expected to get a start in midfield and John Carew would be used as the lone target man in attack. Richard Dunne is expected to be recalled to the team. Luke Young and Stephen Warnock are also expected to be back after missing the midweek European outing.
Villa manager Kevin MacDonald said that the European setback was disappointing but the team has put that behind them. He added that finishing 4th in the league remains their priority and he knows that they would face a more difficult competition this season. The manager went on to say that winning every game is important, but matches against Everton, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham would be the most important ones if they are to make it to the Champions League next season.
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