26′ Davis looks to make something happen as he drills a low cross into the box. But none of his team-mates are on the same wavelength and Everton clear.
25′ Should Villa prevail today, it would be the second-shortest gap between one team beating another in Premier League history. Arsenal hold the record having overcome Bolton twice in the space of three days in January 2010.
23′ Still goalless midway through the first half at Villa Park. The hosts have looked the more threatening of the two sides, but will hope they are not made to rue that missed opportunity from Mings.
21′ Good movement from El Ghazi leads to a chance opening up for him. The Dutchman takes aim from 25 yards out, but his effort is high and wide of the target.
19′ Mings will be disappointed with that missed opportunity, but he will be pleased with the strides he has made this season. With England’s European Championship campaign beginning against Croatia in exactly a month’s time, the defender will desperately want to be in Gareth Southgate’s plans.
17′ MINGS MUST SCORE! What a chance for Villa! Following a corner, the defender is completely unmarked to meet Luiz’s cross. However, he can only head wide of the target from eight yards out.
16′ Chance! Following a dangerous Everton attack, Coleman sits an inviting cross up to the far post. Calvert-Lewin attacks the ball, but is unable to direct it either side of Martinez.
15′ Thankfully for Villa, Cash is back in the thick of the action.
14′ A concern for the hosts as Cash stays down following an aerial challenge with Digne. The Villa full-back receives the required medical attention, but is clutching his nose as he makes his way to the touchline.
13′ Villa continue to enjoy the better of proceedings here. In fact, they have enjoyed 61 per cent of the possession inside the opening 13 minutes.
11′ The first shot on goal comes courtesy of Traore. El Ghazi fizzes the ball into the feet of the Burkina Faso international, whose first-time effort from the edge of the penalty area is straight at Pickford.
10′ Godfrey sets Everton moving with a driving run out of defence. A neat exchange of passes enables Sigurdsson to find Coleman out on the right. However, the skipper’s cross is not the best and easily gathered by Martinez.
8′ Villa did beat Everton just under a fortnight ago, but they have struggled in recent times. In fact, that victory is the only time they have tasted success in their last five games.
6′ Villa settling into their rhythm during the early stages of this contest. The hosts are neatly knocking the ball around and maintaining possession.
4′ This is the final home game of Barkley’s loan stint with Villa. It comes against boyhood club Everton – with whom he spent 13 years and made well over 150 senior appearances before joining Chelsea in 2018.
2′ An early worry for Everton as Coleman uncharacteristically gets his feet mixed up under pressure and ends up conceding a corner. Thankfully for the Toffees skipper, his blushes are spared as Barkley’s delivery is not the best.
1′ The referee blows his whistle and Everton get things underway.
The players are coming out onto the field and kick-off is moments away.
Just 12 days since they last met, Villa and Everton lock horns once more in the Premier League. Having ran out 2-1 winners at Goodison Park, the hosts are aiming to complete their first league double over the Toffees in 20 years.
As for Everton, Carlo Ancelotti makes two changes from Sunday’s win over West Ham United. One of them is enforced as Mason Holgate replaces the injured Yerry Mina in the heart of defence. Meanwhile, Abdoulaye Doucoure makes his first start since March in midfield, with Tom Davies dropping to the bench.
Dean Smith makes one change to the Villa side beaten by Manchester United at the weekend, as Keinan Davis leads the line in place of the suspended Ollie Watkins. But the big news is on the bench, where Jack Grealish appears for the first time in three months following his lay-off through injury.
SUBS: Robin Olsen, Niels Nkounkou, Fabian Delph, Andre Gomes, Tom Davies, Alex Iwobi, Bernard, Joshua King, Joao Virginia.
EVERTON: Jordan Pickford, Mason Holgate, Michael Keane, Ben Godfrey, Lucas Digne, Seamus Coleman, Allan, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison.
SUBS: Jed Steer, Kortney Hause, Ahmed Elmohamady, Jacob Ramsey, Jack Grealish, Marvelous Nakamba, Carney Chukwuemeka, Jaden Philogene-Bidace, Wesley.
ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Matt Targett; John McGinn, Douglas Luiz; Bertrand Traore, Ross Barkley, Anwar El Ghazi; Keinan Davis.
Everton are aiming to boost their European hopes today at Villa Park, while the hosts can climb into the top half of the table with a win.
Hello everyone and welcome to live text commentary of the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Everton.
Be the first to comment