ASTON VILLA resume their unlikely title charge with a trip to Merseyside on Sunday to face Everton.
After the hectic festive period and FA Cup break, Villa find themselves just three points off the pace set by Liverpool in second place in what has been an outstanding campaign so far.
If Unai Emery's men are genuine contenders, then Goodison Park is exactly the type of place they need to visit and return to Birmingham with three points safely tucked away.
They bounced back from blowing a two-goal lead at Manchester United to lose 3-2 with a couple of narrow wins against Burnley in the league and Middlesbrough in the FA Cup which, as Chelsea found out this week, isn't an easy place to visit.
Everton would dearly love a win here after three league defeats in a row which has plummeted them right back into the relegation mix, following that ten-point deduction of course.
Defeats at Spurs and Wolves as well as a home loss to Manchester City were no disgrace, but they need the points.
Sean Dyche's side were also held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace in the FA Cup on their last outing which will give them an additional replay they could do without.
How the bookies view it
Aston Villa are favourites here but only just. They can be backed at 29/20 with bet365, with Everton available at 9/5 with Coral. The draw is 13/5 with William Hill.
Recent head to heads
Villa thumped Everton 4-0 at home in the league this season already, although Everton did win a Carabao Cup tie at the same venue 2-1.
Everton have lost the last five league meetings between the clubs.
Players to watch
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was sent off for the first time in his career in the FA Cup tie against Crystal Palace, but Everton have successfully appealed it and he is ready and available against Villa. He is 21/10 to score anytime with BetVictor.
Ollie Watkins was only used as a sub against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, but he's netted 15 goals this season and will start at Goodison Park. He is 13/8 to net anytime with Paddy Power.
Anything else catch the eye?
This could be a tight affair and a draw may well be the sensible call – a result that wouldn't be a disaster for either team.
Everton have not had much go their way recently, but they are a tough team to break down at Goodison Park and Villa do their best work at fortress Villa Park, rather than away where they are only the seventh best travellers in the league.
The hosts haven't scored for two games and they have scored just 11 goals and conceded 12 in their ten home games in the league.
It wouldn't be a surprise if this isn't a goal fest. Go for William Hill's 6/5 on under 2.5 goals
This English Premier League match between Everton and Aston Villa will be played on Jan 14, 2024 and kick off at 14:00. Check below for our tipsters best Everton vs Aston Villa prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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