Our prediction for this Premier League match:
Following a 2-1 loss at Norwich City, Everton chiefs are eyeing Rafa Benitez’s replacement. The Toffees are not enjoying a season to remember, with the team sitting in the danger zone ahead of the visit of Aston Villa. Richarlison, who scored a consolation goal at the weekend, is widely expected to return to the starting XI, while Alex Iwobi is on international duty with Nigeria. Anwar El Ghazi is ineligible to face his parent club, whereas Tom Davies misses out with a hamstring problem.
The Villans, on the other hand, are eager to put an end to their three-match winless run. Steven Gerrard’s troops did well to hold Man Utd to a 2-2 draw at the weekend, and they are surely capable of beating Everton, who are low on spirits following a poor run of results. Both Trezeguet and Traore are on international duty, while Bailey and Nakamba are out of contention with injuries.
Highlighted Player (Seamus Coleman):
Quite possibly the most talented footballer to have donned the Republic of Ireland jersey in the second decade of the 21st century, Seamus Coleman is an attacking full-back, who has been one of Everton’s best performers for quite some time.
Plucked from lowly Sligo Rovers in 2009, the highly rated footballer took to Premier League like duck to water and went on to become one of the best right-sided defenders in the league. Coleman has developed a knack for scoring amazing goals, and he already has more than a dozen strikes in the Premier League.
The talented footballer is still waiting for his first goal in the Republic of Ireland national team, but it is only a matter of time before he ends his international drought, even though that is not exactly his main job. The general consensus is that Coleman should have left Everton for a top club earlier in order to realise his full potential, but there is still time for the Irish footballer to grace the biggest stage.
Highlighted Team (Aston Villa):
Aston Villa is one of the three clubs that dropped to the Championship at the end of the 2015/2016 Premier League campaign. The Villans host their rivals at Villa Park, the stadium that was opened in 1897 and its’ capacity is 42,682. However, it has to be noted that the highest attendance recorded at the stadium was 76,588 when Aston Villa faced Derby County in the FA Cup back in 1946.
Aston Villa’s fiercest rivals are Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion. Nonetheless, the rivalry between Aston Villa and Wolves and Coventry City is big as well. Aston Villa have won seven First Division (Premier League) trophies, with the team clinching seven FA Cup trophies as well.
The team’s biggest success, though, came in 1982 when they won the European Cup. The Villans defeated Bayern Munich (1-0) in the title game and Peter Withe was named the man of the match.