Unai Emery is wary of the threat of an 'excited' Everton at Aston Villa ahead of David Moyes' first game at Goodison Park.
Moyes, who was former Everton boss between 2002 and 2013, has returned to Merseyside, replacing the departed Sean Dyche.
While Everton will be hoping Moyes can pull them out of relegation danger, Villa have higher goals as they remain in the mix for European qualification.
But Emery acknowledged on Tuesday the impact Moyes could have in the Everton dugout, even as he urged his Villa players to focus on their own game.
Emery's men have lost their last five away games in the Premier League, conceding at least twice in every away match.
“Our challenge is how to compete,” said the Villa manager, “because the last games we played in the Premier League we didn't work, we didn't get points and tomorrow is our challenge.”
“It's difficult because it's also Everton with a new coach, and of course I think they – the crowd and the players – will be very motivated and also excited, with Moyes, because previously he was a very successful coach. them.
DM x LB3 pic.twitter.com/995oNIXxqV
— Everton (@Everton) January 14, 2025
“But we have to try to focus on our match, our game plan, our idea of imposing on the pitch and respecting them.
“All in all they may change some tactical work, but I think the players they are more or less playing with will be on the pitch tomorrow to defend Everton.
“Of course we respect their players, we respect their stadium, we respect a new coach with a new idea, and I also respect the difficulties we will face tomorrow.
“But despite everything, as I explain the difficulties, we are confident and have the opportunity that we have tomorrow to try to change our poor results that we have achieved in the last matches.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Everton – Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Calvert-Lewin is nursing an ankle injury but is expected to return against Villa and the pressure is on the Everton striker.
Moyes has made no secret of the need for Calvert-Lewin to step up, warning: “I told him I need goals from him straight away and he needs to start delivering results. We could try to focus on that areas to strengthen.” [in the transfer market] if we cannot achieve results ourselves.”
Calvert-Lewin is without a goal in 15 Premier League appearances since scoring in the reverse fixture, the second-longest drought of his career.
Aston Villa – Amadou Onana
Onana has not always been widely appreciated at Goodison Park, but he has shown his class since leaving Everton for Villa at the start of this season.
Although the midfielder's game is not necessarily about goals, his latest goal against West Ham in the FA Cup took him to four for the season – as many as he managed in two years at Everton Blue.
Onana came on as a substitute for former Everton player Ross Barkley in that match, with the former England international's injury likely to ensure a start this time around.
Unai on team news: “Pau Torres, John McGinn and Ross Barkley; they are not available for tomorrow… Barkley is about two to three weeks more. McGinn needs at least a week to be more or less close to us, training and available are to play and Pau Torres is taller.… pic.twitter.com/R8lss5Ag2E
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 14, 2025
PREDICTION: ASTON VILLA WIN
Although Villa's away form has been dismal of late, they have dominated this fixture in recent seasons.
Everton is winless in eleven Premier League games against Villa and even lost at Villa Park in September after leading 2-0. At Goodison Park, Villa are unbeaten after five games and have kept a clean sheet on each of their past three visits.
Villa have never kept a clean sheet in four consecutive league matches against Everton, but the Toffees have failed to score in eight of their last 10 games, resulting in Dyche's departure.
OPTA CHANCE OF WINNING
Everton – 30.2%
Draw – 27.6%
Aston Villa – 42.2%
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