‘Won’t make it easy’ - Chris Sutton and Paul Merson share Aston Villa vs Everton prediction as Jack Grealish returns
Aston Villa have the chance to boost their title credentials with a win over Everton
High-flying Aston Villa host Everton this weekend and are aiming to extend their exceptional record of 11 consecutive home wins across all competitions.
Aston Villa enter the weekend in third position in the league table but have an excellent opportunity to consolidate their position in the top four if results elsewhere go in their favour as Liverpool host Burnley, surprise package Brentford travel to Chelsea and Newcastle go to basement side Wolves.
The Lions could even make a surprise push for a first league title between now and the end of the season. As it stands, the club are six points behind leaders Arsenal and level on points with second placed Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola’s side go to Manchester United high on confidence but will be wary of the threat posed by a team with no domestic cup duties to worry about and the appointment of a new face in the dugout in the form of Michael Carrick. Meanwhile, Arsenal have an away trip with Nottingham Forest to contend with, as Sean Dyche aims to mastermind an upset.
Villa have had an excellent record against Everton since winning promotion but can they extend that at the weekend? Here we look at what expert pundits Chris Sutton and Paul Merson had to say.
Chris Sutton predicts hard-fought Aston Villa win
Former Aston Villa forward Sutton has backed the West Midlands side to deliver a 12th consecutive home victory, marking their longest winning run at Villa Park in the same season since 1972 although they did manage 14 in a row during the 1980s in a run which stretched across two seasons.
Aston Villa have kept more Premier League clean sheets against Everton than any other opponent (25) but are not backed to do so this weekend, with Sutton predicting a narrow 2-1 win.
He explained via BBC Sport: “Villa drew 0-0 at Everton at the start of the season, but their form has picked up a lot since then - they have stacks of belief, and they have lots of goals in them too.
“Everton will have Jack Grealish back from suspension to face his old club, which is a boost for them and him. David Moyes certainly won't make it easy for Villa, but I'm still expecting them to win.”
Merson backs Villa to secure a comfortable win
Merson, who enjoyed four years at Villa Park between 1998 and 2002, believes his old club will have little problem beating Everton at the weekend.
Aston Villa are unbeaten in all 13 of their Premier League games against Everton since their return to the division in 2019, and Merson expects them to extend that record again.
Merson explained via Sportskeeda: “Aston Villa are a good team. Even though Everton have performed well away from home, where they can sit back and hit teams on the break, Villa hold the upper hand in this one.
“Iliman Ndiaye will only return after the AFCON final and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is still injured. Without the two of them alongside Jack Grealish, Everton are not the same team. I’m backing Villa to secure a comfortable win. I hope Grealish gets a good reception at Villa park, but I doubt he will.”