Everton vs Aston Villa: Preview and Predicted Lineups

The Villa game will be a big statement for us. Many knocking a new ground issue but more important besting a team that is playing at a high level, spending loads over the past few years, and classed at being on our level – which I don't agree!

Three points tomorrow will put a stamp on our season.

And we need Garner in midfield, nice to hear Moyes mentioning him for an England call-up.

They are a decent side and Watkins's pace up front will have to be watched as Tarkowski has no pace and Keane isn't the fastest. Also, Tielemans always seems to score a worldy against us on a regular basis.

But if Ndiaye isn't fit to start, then it will give us a chance to see Tyler Dibling start a game, I just hope our fans don't expect too much too soon from him. He is undoubtedly a talent but he is still young and learning.

Quite rightly Grealish has received immense praise, Kiernan's stats regarding assists have been mentioned. However, in my humble opinion, I would like to propose the usual scapegoat Keane as our surprise player so far!

We expect performances from Kiernan and Grealish but from Keane??

Great to see us becoming a “team” a la the '80s. No superstars but a team.

3 points tomorrow and we're on our – very slow – way to getting there.

Still all sorts of weaknesses (that Moyes can't do much about) but definitely a team being more than the sum of its parts.

The fact that we have a talented player like Dibling available to come into the team is really exciting too.

If we can put out a full side, the team that has played the first 3 matches I think we are favourites to win it; if not, it will be a tight game.

Villa have surely not become a poor side though, plus they have made a couple of good recent signings so they will be dangerous.

I've done the train to Sandhills for all the games up to now but I've got to drive up north straight after the game so thought I might park and walk.

Yeah Keane has done well… so far.

I'm just loath to highlight it and tempt fate.

Almost definitely the former, I'd think, though I still have worries over his positioning and tracking of runners.

Villa will surely not continue to be as bad as they have been but will not be high on confidence. Hopefully the crowd can create a real bear pit and Ndiaye is able to start. COYB

I think his old fans might affect him if he starts… could be a subdued performance. I'd bring him on at 60 minutes and let him tear it up for 35 minutes.

He's also been partying this week.

Sunday 24 September at 2:15 pm.

I would very much expect either Alcaraz or McNeil to get the start in such circumstances.

I feel for McNeil because I don't think he has become crap. Remember, he was the highest in goal involvements just 2 seasons ago, and he has a terrific left foot from around the edge of the penalty box.

Problems of too many options now?

Just start Dibling; we've paid the money for him so why hold him back? McNeil should also be given time on the right. We won games last season with him playing there and we'll need everyone in the squad at some point in the season.

It feels so strange to have these options to discuss.

He was never quick but he just can't get the ball forward quickly enough these days.

Ndiaye, Dibling and Alcaraz are all better options IMO.

I hope Dibling and Röhl get some game time tomorrow and hopefully Mykolenko is fit.

Time to break that sequence tomorrow.

Like others have said, Villa haven't become bad overnight and will start getting points on the board soon (hopefully not for another week or so!).

If Ndiaye can't start, then I'd like to see Dibling on from the beginning, in the position we just spent big money on him filling.

Still looking forward to it, the most played fixture in the league rolls on.

They dodged bullets in the previous two league games and you cannot keep on doing that. Villa have decent strikers so we need to shut them out in midfield.

COYB!

I would like to see Dibling and Röhl involved, even if only from the bench!

Optimism is high...

Sometimes it lives up to the billing.

I hope Ndiaye starts but if he doesn’t I still think we will have too much for Villa.

This is what 30 years of disappointment, anger, frustration, confusion can do to you. It’s now part of my DNA when it comes to Everton ie expect the best worst.

We cant really judge till we get the team news.

Sitting on my settee in the warm - - pause to rewatch the goal action - - rewind - - VAR - - warm and cosy - - tea and cake - - Eeeaargghhhh - - NO - - NO - - no matter what the weather conditions I wish - - I wish - - I wish - - Ohhhhh I wish - - I could be out there cold and wet - - sitting with family and friends covered in Blue - - watching The Boys - - walking from The Dark House - - arm in arm - - enveloped in our unspoken/unwritten love for each other: and for “Our Team”
“We never much thought we could get very old
We thought we could sit forever in fun
And our chances really was a million to one…
How many a year has passed and gone?
Many a gamble has been lost and won
And many a road taken by many a first friend
And each one I've never seen again
I wish, I wish, I wish in vain
That we could sit simply in that room again
Ten thousand dollars at the drop of a hat
I'd give it all gladly if our lives could be like that”
Sitting here - - missing all of this - - but - - after my recent situation - - Oh to be Alive - - to be able to watch The Mighty Blues - - I am Here”: ” The candle is burning, the wheels are turning, What you gonna do?
If you are going to the game today - - suck it all in - - fill your heart - - your soul - - your spirit - - laugh smile- - cry if you want to - - I cried when my daughter took me to The Recent Cup Game/Mansfield - - and those of us - - like me - - Dear Blues Brothers and Sisters - - who for whatever reason have been removed from that which you love - - sit back - - dream - - Let Your Souls And Spirit Float Into The Mystic - - I am going now - - time for my 4 M’s (Medication/Meditation/Mindfulness/Music) - - a last bit of Van - - just to lift us:
“Rave on John Donne, rave on thy Holy fool
Down through the weeks of ages
In the moss borne dark dank pools
Rave on down through time and space down through the corridors
Rave on words on printed page
Rave on, Walt Whitman, nose down in wet grass
Rave on fill the senses
On nature's bright green shady path
Rave on through the writing of "A Vision"
Rave on, Rave on, Rave on, Rave on, Rave on, Rave on”

Finally my friends can I ask for help - - have a quick look at this: - - Link - - if you can - - remember this - - Goodness is Contagious.

With a firm handshake - - Your Friend In Blue - - Georgeous George

For once in a long time, we have an excellent group of players to choose from. It should be a very interesting match.

Rodgers and Konsa both performed well for England in midweek, and though they are the only team not to have scored a goal so far this season, the pace of Watkins will be a factor.

They haven't become a bad team overnight so we will have to be at our best today. Be a shame if Ndiaye can't play as in him and Jack and Dewsbury-Hall, we have a team that asks questions of the opposition.

"3-1 win today. And I'm usually pessimistic".

Such optimism and positivity. That's not the Paul I know and love! Must be an imposter!

Might be available if you're quick.

But we're unrecognisable from last season, so who knows?

"Just had to put my season ticket for today's game on resale. Full of snot.".

Ray, nobody will buy a ticket full of snot.

Anyway, I won't be booing him.

It's a bit of a trek – 30 minutes after the game – but there's loads of free parking around there.

Have a great day!

UTFT

As for us, we all know that when we start to believe Everton find a way to let us down. Hopefully today will be different, but you can guarantee Villa will end their goal drought... Everton, that.

Either way, I'm expecting an entertaining game.

Delusions of grandeur.

So it's understandable that our confidence has been severely dented.

But we survived - only Everton could have done that.
And somehow we through it all, we got a fantastic new stadium.

I honestly believe we are on the up - at long last. I also believe that Moyes is a different proposition from the manager who left us for Utd.

Time to live in hope again.

George - Rave on.

Call it by it's proper name — Willie Hennie. I lived all of my early life round there when it was alive and vibrant for most of the day and night.

Now you can hear a pin drop most of the time and most of the many, many characters and their families have passed away or left the area, as have all the pubs and shops.

Anyway, it’ll wipe off…,

It is great to see the Blues have their own version of the late lamented renegade David Crosby, if you accept the comparison, and indeed I would welcome m, more quotes from him and his Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young associates; some Gerry Rafferty would not go amiss either.

Keep on keeping on, Great Spirit!