Everton and Aston Villa are set to clash this weekend at Goodison Park as Sean Dyche aims to make it three wins in a row at home with the Toffees ever since he took the helm a few weeks back as Unai Emery’s men sit on a poor losing run.
After a solid start to life at Villa Park for the former Arsenal manager, Emery has struggled to find any sort of consistency in February.
#EVEAVL preparations 💪📸— Everton (@Everton) February 23, 2023
#EVEAVL preparations 💪📸
In fact, after defeating Leeds United 2-1 and then Southampton 1-0, Emery's men have gone on to lose three in a row and let in 11 goals in the process, although they have still netted an impressive five goals themselves.
This run saw them lose in a Midlands derby at Villa Park to Leicester City in a stunning 4-2 loss, despite taking the lead on two occasions in the first half. Manchester City would then ease past them in a 3-1 victory, although Ollie Watkins did score late on in the game to pull one back.
Villa also took the lead against Arsenal twice in the game, but were brutally beaten in stoppage time. One of the most unfortunate goals you'll ever witness came off Emi Martinez in the 93rd minute, and the goalkeeper was then caught out by going up for a corner in the 98th minute.
It leaves Villa in 11, however, and only three points behind Chelsea in 10th. Their goals difference is very poor this season, with the Villains scoring 28 times and letting in 38, which now means they'll need more than just all three points this weekend to get into the top 10.
Everton have lost one and won two since Dyche took the helm in early February. His tenure at the club started with a sensational 1-0 win against Arsenal to become just one of two teams to beat them in the Premier League this season.
The Toffees then lost in a Merseyside derby soon after, but they returned to the win column last weekend.
Seamus Coleman scored a stunning goal that day against Leeds, as his second half effort gave fans as much hope of survival as they have all season.
Everton are now above the relegation zone by just one point but they are still coming into this one in the best run of form all season. In fact, prior to Dyche, the Merseyside outfit had won only three league games.
Forebet predicts an Everton win and under 2.5 goals.