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Remind me next time

Everton have thrown themselves a Europa League qualification lifeline with three games left in the Premier League season. The Toffees are coming off of a 1-0 away win at faltering West Ham and are now three points off of fifth-place and the Europa League qualification position. On Thursday night, Carlo Ancelotti’s team will visit Aston Villa seeking a second consecutive league win.

Aston Villa are coming off of a 3-1 home loss to Manchester United in which the team went up 1-0 but conceded three goals after taking the lead. The loss ended a two-match winless streak. Since returning to the Premier League in 2019, Aston Villa have not lost to Everton. The Villains have posted a record of 2W-1D-0L.

Earlier this season, Aston Villa claimed a 2-1 win at Goodison Park thanks to goals from Ollie Watkins and Anwar El-Ghazi on either side of a Dominic Calvert-Lewin strike. The last time these teams met at Villa Park, Dean Smith’s team posted a 2-0 win.

Aston Villa are 11th in the league. They are 10 points off of fifth-place West Ham with 12 points left to play for. Although a Europa League qualification place is unlikely, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility at the moment. A second consecutive win over Everton would help their chances of making the Europa League for next term.

Aston Villa vs Everton Betting Odds

 

Neither side are in good form going into the game. Both have struggled to take points over the last six games. Everton have been labelled as one of the most hot and cold teams in the Premier League. They have had numerous chances to collect points this season and win “easy” games only to ultimately fall to a loss. The Toffees have over achieved in points compared to expected points. They have taken 55 points but have an expected points figure of 45.8.

Leading sportsbooks have Ancelotti’s team at odds of 17/10 to win away from home at Villa Park. The Toffees took nine points from the last 18 available to them in the league. Goals have dried up for the club with just six goals scored over the last six matches. They conceded five times during that same time period.

Aston Villa are at odds of 7/4 to win and continue their unbeaten run against Everton in the league since 2019. The Villains have taken 48 points overall this season against an expected points total of 50.22. Jack Grealish’s leg injury has been a major factor in Aston Villa dropping points since February.

The Villains took just seven points from the last 18 available to them in the league. They scored 10 goals and allowed 11 to opponents during that time period. Aston Villa are winless in three straight games at Villa Park while Everton are on a three-match unbeaten run on the road.

Aston Villa vs Everton Team News

Smith has four names on the Aston Villa injury and suspension list. Striker Ollie Watkins will miss the match through suspension. Watkins scored in the reverse fixture and will be a major miss. He leads the team in goals with 13 in 34 league appearances. Midfielder Morgan Sansone is a doubt going into the Thursday night match due to a knee injury. He could return at the weekend, however.

Grealish is still a doubt to play for the Villains. He hasn’t played since February 21 and has missed 12 straight games due to a shinbone injury (perhaps he should wear larger, more protective shinpads). Nine of those 12 matches without Grealish ended without a victory. Trezeguet is ruled out of the fixture due to a knee injury.

Ancelotti is hopeful that attacking midfielder James Rodriguez will be fit to play. He is nursing a calf/heel/shin injury. He remains “day-to-day". Centre-back Yerry Mina is a doubt to make the team due to a muscle strain. Meanwhile, Jean-Philippe Gbamin is still on the comeback trail from a long-term injury.

Reports on Tuesday indicate Ancelotti will make a number of personnel moves in the offseason. Theo Walcott, who is currently on loan at Southampton, has been told to leave the club. Meanwhile, a swap deal for striker Moise Kean, who is at Paris Saint-Germain on loan, is on the cards.

Aston Villa vs Everton Prediction

Both teams to score: YES @ 4/6 - BET NOW

 

The last two matches in the league between Aston Villa and Everton ended with both teams scoring. The clubs combined for three goals in an Aston Villa 2-1 win earlier this season. They could do it all over at Villa Park on Thursday night. Everton have a lot to play for going into the game. Four of their last six games ended with both teams finding the back of the net.

Anwar El Ghazi to score anytime @ 5/2 - BET NOW

 

Midfielder Anwar El Ghazi is Aston Villa’s second-leading goalscorer with eight strikes in the Premier League. He has scored eight times with an expected goal rate of 7.34. The midfielder has scored in two of the last three matches between Aston Villa and Everton. He scored the winner at Goodison Park to give Aston Villa a needed win.

Over 2.5 goals scored @ 33/100 - BET NOW

 

Due to match postponements, Aston Villa and Everton played on May 1st, so the rivals are familiar with each other due to playing recently. They combined for over 2.5 goals scored and could do it again on Thursday night. Ten of the last 14 meetings between Aston Villa and Everton in all competitions finished with over 2.5 goals scored. Two of their last eight games in the league finished in a 2-1 scoreline.

Two of Everton’s last four games in the league finished with more than 2.5 goals scored. Aston Villa’s last six league matches finished with over 2.5 goals scored. They are conceded goals to opponents. The Villains should concede again to Everton on Thursday night. But with the Toffees struggling to win games, the fixture could end in a draw. The teams are at odds of 5/2 to draw at full-time.

Aston Villa vs Everton Tips

Here are our Aston Villa vs Everton tips for Thurday's Premier League match at Villa Park.

1. Both teams to score: YES @ 4/6

2. Anwar El Ghazi to score anytime @ 5/2

3. Over 2.5 goals scored @ 33/100

Aston Villa vs Everton Betting Tips