Everton v Aston Villa – English Premier League: Match Preview
English Premier League resumes on Saturday, 2nd of April 2011 with Everton hosting Aston Villa at Goodison Park. Both teams have had a below average season thus far by their own standards, but this encounter in question between both outfits is expected to be an enthralling one, to say the least. Therefore, let us take a look at how both the English clubs might line up on Saturday afternoon...
Everton
Currently eighth in the English Premier League with just 40 points from a total of 30 matches, Everton struggled early on in the season but since then, the Toffees have recovered in time to fight it out for a Europa League spot. David Moyes has found it hard this season in the English Premier League, as the Merseyside Blues have suffered from disastrous injuries to some of their key players.
Out of their last five competitive fixtures, Everton have won three, lost one and drawn one. Their latest match in the Premier League ended up in a win as the Toffees gained a crucial two goals to one victory over Fulham at Goodison Park. One can expect Everton to give Villa a tough time, especially on their home turf, but their inconsistent form throughout the season has remained a constant source of discomfort for their faithful fans.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa presently occupies the 14th place spot in the English Premier League. It has already been a hugely disappointing season for the Villains under their new manager, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gerard-c14664 Houllier. Already perilously close to the relegation zone as they are just one point above the 18th placed side Wolverhampton Wanderers, Villa must win at Everton to steer away from English Premier League’s drop zone.
Houllier’s men have taken a dip in form over the past couple of games as they lost three, won one, and drawn one out of their previous five competitive fixtures. There is already plenty of pressure on Gerard Houllier’s shoulders, who has been criticized by Villa’s fans for his failure to get the best out of a vastly talented squad.
Team News
Everton will be without a host of first team players for their encounter against Aston Villa. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Louis-Saha-c22459 is also sidelined due to his ankle problem.
Expected Everton line up: Howard Spencer, Sylvain Distin, Phil Jagielka, Gary Neville, Leighton Baines, Leon Osman, Johnny Heitinga, Seamus Coleman, Jack Rodwell, Jermaine Beckford, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov
On the other hand, Aston Villa is without their first choice defensive pairing of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wales-c3041.
Expected Aston Villa line up: Brad Friedel, Kyle Walker, Carlos Cuellar, Nathan Baker, Marc Albrighton, Michael Bradley, Nigel Reo-Coker, Jean Makoun, Stewart Downing, Darren Bent, Ashley Young
Key Players
Everton will look towards their young English midfielder, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 and Manchester United, Rodwell has been a part-time player for Everton this season due to his injury troubles. However, as the end of the Premier League season approaches, the Toffees need their energetic midfielder to step up to the mark with some match winning performances.
Alternatively, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Darren-Bent-c10358 will be a telling factor for Gerard Houllier’s side when they face-off against Everton.
Prediction
This is a tough one to call but Everton’s fitness problems negate their home advantage to a large extent. Nonetheless, as both the teams are matched evenly, a draw is expected at the final whistle at Goodison Park. Prediction: Everton 2 – 2 Aston Villa.
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