Match Preview
Everton v Aston Villa
Team News
Everton are sweating on the fitness of skipper Alan Stubbs and striker Francis Jeffers for the home clash with Aston Villa as they bid to end their poor run of nine games without a win.
Everton have not tasted success in a league game this year and have Stubbs and Jeffers both suffering from groin problems, although the pair have started full training again after spending most of the week in the treatment room.
With David Weir and Richard Wright both still out as they recover from knee injuries and Li Tie (fractured shin) missing for the season, boss David Moyes has limited options.
Duncan Ferguson has recovered from a slight back problem and can be expected to captain the side again, as he did last weekend in the 3-3 draw at Southampton.
Midfielder Gareth Barry is Aston Villa's major injury concern.
Barry's influence was sorely missed when he limped out of the derby with Birmingham last weekend because of a groin strain. If he is ruled out then Peter Whittingham is in line to replace him.
But central defender Ronny Johnsen is expected to be fit to play after collecting a dead-leg against Steve Bruce's side which also led to him being substituted.
Mark Delaney (foot) is the only long term casualty with Ulises de la Cruz again expected to deputise at right-back as Villa look to extend a run of 10 points from the last four games.
Team Facts
EVERTON are without a win in nine League and Cup games and separated from the relegation zone by a mere two places and three points. David Moyes' side find themselves at the foot of the Premiership's "Last Six Current Form" table as they prepare for the challenge of an in form, European chasing, Aston Villa.
The point from a game of six goals at Southampton last Saturday prevented this Everton side from equalling the worst start to a calendar year ever in their League history. Without a League win in 2004, and averaging a point a game from the first 26 matches is the Toffees' lowest ever tally to this stage of a Premiership season.
The Merseysiders edged it courtesy of a Wayne Rooney winner in stoppage time in last season's corresponding fixture. The teenager was about to be substituted by David Moyes when he fired in from the edge of the area to secure a 2-1 victory. Everton are now chasing a third home win on the trot against the "Claret and Blues".
ASTON VILLA have hit form apart from the humiliation of throwing away a two-goal lead against local rivals Birmingham last weekend. David O'Leary's side have collected ten points from the last possible 12 and shot themselves into a top seven Uefa Cup spot - just four points outside a Champions League place. They've scored seven goals and conceded just one in winning the last two on the road, and find themselves nine places and 11 points superior to Everton.
This fixture is the most played in top flight soccer. Two of the League's founder members have been playing each other since 1888 and they cannot be separated at 67 League wins each.
These clubs fought out a dour goalless draw in the reverse fixture in October. Villa's only victory in five Premiership trips to Goodison Park was 0-1 on Guy Fawkes Day 2000.
SEQUENCES/RECENT FORM
EVERTON
16th 26 points
Highest achievable at the final whistle: 14th
Lowest could realistically fall: 16th
Drawn four and lost five in all competitions since beating Norwich 3-1 at home in the third round of the FA Cup on 3 January.
Drawn three and lost four Premiership matches since beating Birmingham 1-0 at home on 28 December.
Won only one of last nine League games.
Conceded 10 goals in the last three - all Premiership.
Not won in four at home - three in the Premiership.
Drawn one and lost two home League games since the victory over the Brummies.
Failed to score in five Premiership matches all season at Goodison.
The tally of 31 Premiership goals have been scored by just eight different players. Southampton also have only eight scorers of their League goals - all other clubs have more.
Gone 13 Premiership games since winning by more than a single goal - 2-0 home to Wolves on 22 November.
Claimed 98 Premiership points under David Moyes.
According to official figures, won more corners (170) and conceded more penalties (seven) than any other club in Premiership matches this season.
To come, another home game against Portsmouth, a visit to Leicester and home engagement with Middlesbrough, followed by a trip to Newcastle.
ASTON VILLA
7th 37 points
Highest achievable at the final whistle: 5th
Lowest could fall: 8th
Won four and drawn one since losing 5-2 away to Bolton in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final on 21 January.
Won three and drawn one in the Premiership since losing 0-2 at home to Arsenal on 18 January.
One defeat short of 150 all-time in the Premier League.
Failed to score in six away League matches this season.
Conceded just one goal in the first 15 minutes of Premiership matches.
To come, another away trip to Wolves, followed by a home fixture with Blackburn, visit to Charlton and home game against Manchester City.
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME:
Everton 2-1 Aston Villa
26 April 2003 - Ref: Graham Poll
Everton scorers: Campbell 59, Rooney 90
Villa scorer: Allback 49
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE:
Aston Villa 0-0 Everton
25 October 2003 - Ref: Andy D'Urso
HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
League: Everton 67 wins, Villa 67, Draws 43
Prem: Everton 4 wins, Villa 12, Draws 7
HEAD TO HEAD at Everton
League: Everton 43 wins, Villa 23, Draws 22
Prem: Everton 4 wins, Villa 4, Draws 3
Teams:
Everton (from): Martyn, Hibbert, Yobo, Unsworth, Pistone, Naysmith, Watson, Linderoth, Gravesen, Kilbane, McFadden, Campbell, Rooney, Ferguson, Radzinski, Simonsen, Stubbs, Jeffers.
Aston Villa (from): Sorensen, De la Cruz, Mellberg, Johnsen, Samuel, Solano, Hendrie, Hitzlsperger, Barry, Angel, Vassell, Whittingham, Postma, Ridgewell, Dublin, L Moore, Crouch,
Referee(click on referee): Matt Messias (South Yorkshire)
|
