Aston Villa vs Everton

Villa are vulnerable at the moment and an early goal would severely dent their confidence.

Top of the pile at 10 pm tomorrow night...

No surprise that Iwobi is not yet fit – he had a long hard summer – and dear lord do I hope that Gbamin has replaced Mr Stupid Red in the starting 11 permanently.

Always something that's made me scratch my head.

Don't be fooled by Villa's first two results. I watched both games and they were unlucky not to get a point with Spurs and they dominated the Bournemouth game after conceding two early goals.

If we bring our A Game and Kean can show us what all the fuss is about, we could and should get the 3 points (hopefully) but this will be a tough game.

My worry is Richarlison who seems to have come back tired and lackadaisical so don't be surprised to see Theo out there either.

And just to rub salt in the wounds of the booboys, I fancy Sigurdsson to get off the mark in this game.

Pickford.
Coleman, Keane, Mina, Digne.
Gomes, Gbamin.
Richarlison, Sigurdsson, Bernard.
Calvert-Lewin.

I'm prepared to give DCL at least one more chance. The lad's a 100% trier but he needs to stay more in the middle of the pitch rather than straying out wide. We have good overlapping full-backs who can get down the line and put crosses in to the area where he should be. Silva isn't going to go 4-4-2, so if DCL hasn't produced by the 45 or 60 minutes mark, then take him off and put Kean on.

2-0 tomorrow. Calvert-Lewin (yep) and Richarlison. COYB.

It's probably a given that DCL starts. We have just signed the best young striker in Europe and there is no way Kean will be rushed, absolutely no way. This boy will be looked after and let loose as and when Silva decides... but a full 90 minutes is not happening just yet.

Think you will find that Morgan will start as well. Silva likes him... so that's that. Morgan will do the holding job, which hopefully gives Gomes a free hand to wreak havoc...

I'm usually pretty optimistic, but I feel like this one has 1-1 written all over it. Villa gave Spurs quite a battle.

He's been off the pace and considering his lack of pre-season, maybe needs to be benched?

I feel however it will be unchanged from last week. Silva was happy with the first 30 minutes, and probably thinks he can get them to play like that for 60 this time?

Villa aren't to be written off, many a good player in their ranks, but signing so many players is never a good tactic for a promoted team. Don't know what got into them.

I would start with the same team as the Watford game but urge Silva to use his subs asap if anyone is not showing his best.

Really interested to see John McGinn in action. I've been a big fan of his since he went to Hibs and really disappointed we didn't show any interest in him when his move to Celtic went belly up.

Go for three points, Marco.

We can never mount a top-six challenge anymore because our away form dismally lets down the good solid home record.

The fact that Everton have not won more than five, yes 5 from 19, away games in a single season since 2013-14 under Bobby Brown Shoes, pretty much says it all.

We ought to be going away to the likes of Palace, Villa, Bournemouth, Burnley, and picking up at least 9 points.

Last season was the same, we lost at Newcastle, Southampton, Brighton, Fulham, Watford — it's not good enough.

Tomorrow will be a tricky game but if we apply ourselves correctly and win will make a statement of intent of what we can do this season.

I'll be disappointed if we don't win because already yet again that will be two very winnable away trips passed up.

A draw would seem the most likely result as Villa have yet to win a point and will be fighting for their lives. Kean in from the start would give us a better chance of the win.

You shouldn't be discussing cricket on here, deffo not. And nothing about the ToffeeWeb Golf Day at Frodsham on 20th September before the Sheff Utd game either please. At 11:30. I mean 18 holes, a breakfast and a buggy. You're having a laugh!

A comfortable win, 2-0, perhaps 3-0.

As long as Silva picks an attacking side and isn't conservative, ie, picks Schniederlin, then it should be our night.

Villa will be well up for this game having lost their first 2 games, so we need to be positive from Minute 1. Don't let them get any momentum early on and be clinical in front of goal.

I see we have a chance of breaking an Everton record that has stood for over 100 years: we have never kept 3 clean sheets in the opening 3 games of any season.

Richarlison had a shocker last week, while Sigurdsson looks a little off the pace and Bernard has got his one for the season via a deflection. This is why Kean must play.

Of course I haven't the slightest idea what they mean.

Quite right – it is about time we started breaking the right kind of records, starting with that one.

For too long, we have been the team that other people break records against – eg, player hasn't scored in three seasons, get's one against us; player making his debut for a club, scores against us, etc.

Someone on another site has mentioned that Grealish has not been on the winning side in any of his previous 20 Premier League outings.

In the past, that is exactly the kind of statistic that would haunt us as you could virtually guarantee that he would break his duck against us.

So – not any longer please!!

Let's break that 100-year record and score a few into the bargain.

It's high time now that he starts making match-winning performances. If he wants to be an elite player then he needs to take on the role of being our own version of say Mo Salah, even though I'm loathe to say it.

Trudging through too many games shrugging his shoulders and wearing his Ademola Lookman style sulk mask just won't cut it for a £45 million pound Brazilian international.

Yes he scored a good tally last season but his overall performances need to be more pivotal for us.

COYB

This is exactly the kind of game we all expect to win. This is exactly the kind of game we draw or lose. Poised to go top of the table, if even for just 1/2 a day. This game is exactly what separates us from dizzying heights.

Fulham last Spring, anyone?

Overconfident Everton, playing a newly promoted team who hasn't won yet, seems perfect for them we're traveling to their place, prepared to shit the bed.

Were I a betting man, and I certifiably am not when it comes to any sporting event (prefer poker), I'd not wager a single cent on this one.

Hope I'm wrong.

An early goal would be a bonus as the defence seems to be doing well at the moment and the Villa offence is not as good as Watford or Palace. However, discipline is the key to controlling the game.

If we are going to have a good season, then we have to win this game, and I have every confidence we can. I think we'll edge a close game 2-1 with Kean getting a late winner. I fancy Dom for the first, and I wouldn't rule out a McGinn screamer against the run of play. We need to be careful about being counter attacked, and that's why I expect Schneiderlin to play.

As I've mentioned before, we don't concede many or lose many with Schneiderlin in the side. He covers his position well and gives us a strong base to attack from (that's offence). His passing can be a bit safe for some, me included, but he has the legs on Gbamin at the moment.

For once, l think we win this well. 3-0... (just don't quote me on that).

I've no problem with Schneiderlin starting.

If he picks up a yellow, I'd pull him immediately. I don't care if it's in the 3rd minute of the game.

He's not been near as poor the last year or so, as he was under Big Sam. He's a steady man in front of the back four, and allows Gomes (a.k.a. "handsome") to roam a bit.

But if he looks out of control, Gbamin has to come in.

Phil @ 37 – I just watched Lavery's goals in the Europa League, that second goal was a belter!

However, you did not mention the Panenka penalty scored by ex-Everton legend, Magaye Gueye, which was equally as good as Lavery's second in its own right for audacity alone.

You can't because we don't create chances. Our alleged Number 10 creates zilch from open play. Iwobi is desperately needed.

Sigurdsson has not played great so far and he must feel his position is the only one that cannot be challenged but I think, with Bernard in the centre, he could also supply the other forwards with some great chances.

Can't see anything other than the same team (he may drop Richarlison for Walcott until the 2nd half). I trust Silva to man-manage him just fine.

Calvert-Lewin's problem is he never gets on the end of them. He has not scored in his last 13 games.

3 points away to Villa is a must, let's see what it feels like to sit top of the tree, even if it is just for a night.

I don't think Villa will be an easy game, as someone commented before that they have not played badly up to now, but possibly not had the luck. I am hoping for a win as usual, but feel we may have to up our game to get 3 points.

Villa, however, have to be the clear underdogs for tonight and, if we are going to have a good season, we need to start winning the games we should relatively comfortably at an early point in the season.

A first chance to scrutinise the game properly for me this season as well. I'm hoping we all really like what we see.

I think they erred this summer by bringing in too many new faces at once. I hope we squeak out a 1-0 win as we aren't quite firing on all cylinders yet.

I shall predict 2-0 again this evening but, as I say, it's time to start dominating these matches – we're doing too much squeaking out.

I expect we will miss Gueye in this game and expect to see Grealish lead some ball carrying counters through the middle. Remember the fabulous chance Deeney had? That was Capoue picking Richarlison's poor pass up on the edge of his area, skinning Gomes with ease and running at our exposed defense. Deeney should have scored. That is why I'd not be surprised to see Schneiderlin play, to offer more protection against their counter-attacks.

I think we might see a few more goals tonight and I hope we can score first. Their right-hand side is very vulnerable defensively so expect Bernard and Digne to have some joy. Fingers crossed Sigurdsson can get into the game more as offensively we have looked extremely limited since last season.

3 points would be lovely and yet I've got a feeling 2-2 might be the result.

Heart says a solid 2-0 win for us but my head says 0-0.

If we are as sloppy as we were last week, they will win. It as as simple as that. We are three games into the season now. The unforced mistakes need to stop. We are better on paper, but we are playing way below our potential. Despite being a promoted team, I think this is the biggest test of our centre-halves so far.

Looking forward to a Friday night game.

And as this talk of our fantastic defensive record...much improved yes... But some fortune in there too - Dangerous talk. Let's see how good we are...

If we come out meaning business to dominate and add that clinical touch then we win the game Anything less and there is no scraping the win in this one. My gut feeling is we will need 3 goals to win this...

I personally don't feel we are quite there yet to confidently expect us to win any away game in the Premier League yet. Should we and can we... Then yes. Is it ever a given... No. 2-2 is where I think it's at tonight. Will be delighted to be proved wrong.

COYB.

It's hard to believe that, from last time we player Villa in 2016, only Seamus Coleman is still in the first eleven; it just shows what amazing changes AND progress has been made at the club.

I agree with that, but must hasten to add, they appear, from what I have seen of them thus far (against Bournemouth and Spurs) to have a better quality of imports that Fulham did.

As with any side, new players don't always gel straight away, that is the hopeful side of my thinking for tonight, but believe they are not to be taken too lightly all the same.

I still think overall we played better against Palace with superior domination than we did against Watford, although the goal and some luck with Watford's failure to convert proved the 3 points, but we must lift our game tonight against Villa.

Today will be tricky as Villa will have a big crowd behind them and be looking to get some points on the board. We definitely have the personnel to win this one so hopefully our boys will be well prepared. I would love to see Calvert-Lewin and Kean upfront together as a combo. COYBs

I too would play Schneiderlin – away from home, his experience will give us more solidity – and I'd give Sigurdsson another chance to regain his form.

Didn't he get married in the summer? I think Morgan did in the close season before his dramatic loss of form and I recall Catterick saying that marriage tended to cause players to lose form for a while? Regardless, once Iwobi is fit, he must start and if Bernard continues to play well, it should be Sigurdsson's place at stake.

I'd keep Kean on the bench and if we need a goal I'd love to see him play alongside Dom – he would create space for Kean with his work rate.

We have to fight for points against every team but we have much the better squad and should win. Time will tell if Villa bought well.

Oh, love the new 3rd kit.

I'm not sure many teams in this league have ‘much' better squads than others bar Man City and RS which is why it's so wonderfully unpredictable. Villa gave Spurs and really good game. Tonight could go any way in my opinion but hopefully we prevail!

I would love to say a 3-0 win for the Blues but I am expecting 0-0 or a win for them.

Both those teams are quite physical, well organised, and difficult to break down which is where we often lack quality, creativity and rely on 2 players generally for goals and I expected tough matches.

From my point of view, Villa are the best of the 3 in terms of talent and excitement but they are also a little naive. They don't have a lot of protection for their back four as their midfielders are all better offensively and the defenders themselves aren't the most robust.

I think this game will suit us and, as long as we can stop them from dominating the middle of the park, I'm sure we will expose their deficiencies.

I'm sure it will be a tough game and the home crowd will be up for it but, if you look at our bench tonight, it should include Walcott, Baines, Iwobi, Kean, Davies... Holgate. I wonder who will drop out for Sidibe when he's ready?

I think we are getting there; at this stage of our development, we have to start being ruthless and tonight will tell us a lot. Really looking forward to it.

I agree with Conor, this game should suit us.

I believe not getting the substitutes on early enough is one of the biggest culprits for that, but the season is early, here's hoping Marco has learned the all too important lessons from last season.

The reason Man Utd decided against loaning Roja out was that they see us as competition. That's a good start.

My feeling is that we just don't have the players to fit into Silva's 4-3-3 preferred system and, until we get them, we will struggle. The RS are so good not because they have great players but because they have players that match Klopp's 4-3-3.

Calvert-Lewin missed a good chance with his head in the first half at Palace. It was from a Bernard cross.

I like the kid, I really do, but I remember laughing at my red mates when I used to ask them what they thought of Dirk Kuyt and their answer always ended with the same phrase: “but he doesn't half work hard”.

I hope I'm wrong about DCL but he will only ever (rightly) be judged by how many goals he scores.

As for tonight, Villa away, live on TV, the chance to go top and break a few records as well... why do I think this is going to end badly? Hmmmm...

I can't see us winning tonight – unfortunately. Gonna be tight like Palace – I think I'll go for a score draw.

Full support. Onward Evertonians.

Gomes plays, he's been fine. Sigurdsson deserves another go. I don't understand the calls for Schneiderlin to replace Gbamin. Gbamin is the future. Morgan is not.

On that same theme, drop Calvert-Lewin and play Moise Kean. What is the point in waiting? Get him on the pitch, now. He's going to get to grips with English football better with the ball between his feet than sat on the bench. Kean is the future, play him.

It's good to see we've now got plenty of competition on the wings. Richarlison will know that a couple more poor performances and Iwobi and Walcott will be fighting for his place in the XI.

I predict a 2-1 win. I don't think Villa are very good at all. They came up through the play-offs, yet it was them who were for some reason more fancied than Norwich or Sheffield United to stay up. They've bought lots of players which always brings up unexpected problems in a team. I think they'll be relegated this season and, for that reason, nothing short of 3 points would be acceptable tonight...

I fully expect it'll be the latter of these two attitudes... and we'll take the 3pts to go top.

I would agree that playing two up top makes sense but to bracket Calvert-Lewin's performances with that of Tosun and Sandro leaves me speechless.

If you consider when our results started to show a significant upturn last season, it is when Silva decided to play Calvert-Lewin up top rather than Richarlison or Tosun.

I'm not sure what people expect from Calvert-Lewin up top alone. My perspective is that he does all that is asked of him. Play Kean alongside him or, even better, play a three as the RS and Man City do, and I think we will score a bagful of goals.

Defence looking great – I always felt Mina would be good for us, and Digne just amazing. I'm in two minds with respect to Schneiderlin – it's like he's just grown up and matured and realised he hasn't much time left to really prove himself. I also quite liked his histrionics for the first booking at Palace – showed real commitment... although it led to his sending-off!

The pace and physicality of the Premier League is what catches all the foreign players out to begin with, so I think take some time with the new midfield lads, Gbamin and Iwobi… give Schneiderlin another chance… I also like Walcott – great player, very committed to Everton and genuine quality... when he decides to use it!

Like many have said before me, if we have any aspirations for challenging the top 4 or 6 then we have to start beating the likes of Villa on the road.

Hoping for a great performance for the travelling Blues as Villa Park has so many great memories for us and wouldn't it be nice to put on a show for the TV cameras?

Silva himself has said he believes it will be an open game so expect our clean sheet record to be under threat tonight.

I am really hoping for a win tonight but this season will be full of surprises with no easy games as the money pouring into the Premier League has enabled all teams to strengthen.

Calvert-Lewin did not "miss" that chance. Replay showed his header deflecting off the head of the adjacent defender. Should actually have been a corner.

Anyway, why? Because he got a soft yellow? Obviously he has some kind of psychological or emotional issues. Therefore, he isn't someone we can trust. He is like a shell-shocked soldier. Whether it's confidence, criticism or something else, he has lost his head.

Like you, I am 100 percent with predictions so far. I also am leaning towards a draw but, because I have my own competition against Mark Lawrensen who predicted 1-1, I am going for another 1-0 win for the Blues.

So much can go wrong with a negative attitude (getting a red card early, for one) can really scupper the best-laid plans.

I am sure Silva has a strategy but whether or not it is going to turn this club around... we can only wait and see.

They have to be able to see off teams like Villa — otherwise, it's more of the same that we have seen for many seasons past.

By the way, I am terrible at predictions! The last big one I got right was putting us down for the Cup in 1994 after we had just stayed up by the skin of our teeth. It caused much amusement to my kopite friends, especially when we started losing every game at the start of the season. I've not had a feeling like that since, and I don't have one now!

On the Wednesday of that week, on the Peter Dimmock football show, Danny Blanchflower came out with “Wednesday for the middle of the week, Everton for the cup.”

Splendid stadium Villa Park, my favourite away ground. The Holte End, in particular, is a fantastic end, and was upgraded without losing any of its charm and architectural attraction. Makes you wonder just what would have been possible at Goodison Park if minds had not been closed to the rebuild option so early on...

Silva needs to show he can win these games, still a problem even with more new players and several already bedded down from last year.

Substitution and game management need to be more decisive and sharper, lets not let it drift. Right chaps off to the City for a bevy or two. Utft!

"The thumping the ground thing was just bizarre."

Of course Schneiderlin should be pissed, Ayew totally conned the ref. Schniederlin had clearly won the ball first before taking the player, he had a solid game against Palace and Silva has a lot of time for him.

I'm with Kieran and John. Leave him out and play Gbamin.

Anyway that’s gone now let’s get behind the team COYB

ok, but thankfully Silva picks team and I'd lay my months pay that Schniederlin plays tonight.

We are either going to go here tonight and play really well for 90 minutes and get the win, or the other option which I think is more likely... they are in front of their home support, Jack Grealish loss list sits there and Everton will turn up for 45 minutes and we will get beat. With, yes, you guessed it getting on the score sheet.

I want it to be scenario 1 but have a horrible feeling it’s going to be number 2.