This weekend, all eyes will be on Goodison Park as David Moyes makes his highly anticipated return to Everton after more than a decade away. Replacing Sean Dyche, who was sacked just before the club’s 2-0 FA Cup win over Peterborough United, Moyes inherits a team struggling for form and facing relegation fears. Can the former Toffees boss pull Everton out of their slump and lead them to vital Premier League points, or will Aston Villa continue their strong run of form?
David Moyes: The Return of a Familiar Face
Moyes is no stranger to Goodison Park, having managed Everton from 2002 to 2013, amassing over 500 games in charge. During his time, the Toffees experienced some of their most successful years, including a 2009 FA Cup final appearance and four European campaigns. However, he now faces the daunting challenge of reviving a club in crisis.
Currently sitting just a point above the relegation zone, Everton has failed to find the back of the net consistently, with eight blanks in their last ten Premier League matches (W1, D5, L4). Moyes’ immediate task is to address this attacking issue and get his team scoring again. His first test will be against an Aston Villa side that has shown solid form this season.
Aston Villa’s Resilience
Aston Villa travels to Merseyside with confidence, having only lost once in their last five competitive matches (W3, D1). The Villans have also been impressive in their recent head-to-head (H2H) encounters with Everton, going undefeated in their last 11 league meetings (W8, D3). Villa has dominated at Goodison Park, keeping a clean sheet in their last three visits to the stadium, which will give them the edge as they face a struggling Everton.
Despite their strong league form, Aston Villa comes into this match with a shaky record away from home, having lost their last five away league games. Their failure to secure a clean sheet on the road in 11 matches, stretching back to April 2024, offers hope for Everton, who will look to exploit Villa’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Key Players to Watch
For Everton, much of the responsibility for scoring goals will fall on Beto. The forward has been in good form recently, scoring in two of his last three starts for both club and country. With key forwards Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Armando Broja, and Youssef Chermiti potentially unavailable due to injury, Beto’s performance could be crucial in helping Moyes get his reign off to a positive start.
On the other side, former Everton player Ross Barkley will be eager to impress against his old club. Having lost just one of his nine previous H2H matches against Everton (W4, D4), Barkley has a solid record in this fixture, and he was also the provider of Villa’s winning goal in the 3-2 win over Everton in September 2024.
Head-to-Head: Moyes vs. Villa
David Moyes has a positive overall record against Aston Villa, losing just seven of his personal H2H matchups with the Villans (W13, D14). This represents his fewest defeats against any of the nine sides he has faced on 25 or more occasions. However, this statistic could be tested by Villa’s solid form, making this encounter all the more intriguing.
Match Prediction: Can Moyes Turn the Tide?
While Aston Villa’s form and recent H2H dominance give them the advantage heading into this match, Everton’s need for a quick turnaround could provide the spark they need. With David Moyes at the helm, a ‘new manager bounce’ is a real possibility, and the Toffees will be desperate to impress their new boss.
If Beto can find his scoring boots and Everton can tighten up defensively, there’s potential for a much-needed victory. However, Aston Villa’s resilience and attacking options, particularly with players like Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey, make them tough opponents.
Final Prediction: Everton 1-2 Aston Villa
While Moyes will undoubtedly bring an element of hope to Goodison Park, Villa’s recent dominance and Everton’s struggles are likely to result in a narrow away win for Unai Emery’s men.
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