English Premier
2012-08-25 - Aston Villa vs Everton
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 25 August 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Aston Villa
Paul Lambert will have been given an eye-opening experience last weekend and realise how much is to be done to turn around an Aston Villa side that isn't that many seasons removed from when they were a regular feature in the top 6 of the Premier League.
Villa were beaten 1-0 at West Ham United last weekend, but it was the limp performance that would have been more of a worry for Lambert. They finished last season with just 2 points separating themselves from the relegated teams, while their 37 League goals from 38 League games was the worst return in the Premier League. Villa finished with a 4-7-8 home record, scoring 20 goals and conceding 25.
The team can't be that confident considering they are on a run of 11 Premier League games without a win, while 2 goals from their last 7 League games is a poor return. Villa have won just 1 of their last 13 home games in the League.
Richard Dunne, Marc Albrighton and Gabby Agbonlahor will all be absent through injury, with Agbonlahor the only one likely to be available before the international break.
Everton
It was always going to be a tough test for Manchester United having to play a fired up Everton in an evening kick off, but the performance of the home side was very encouraging. With some serious doubts around some of those sides that finished above them last season, Everton may just be a surprise package involved in the European places at the end of the season, although David Moyes will want to back up the three points from Monday with another good performance here.
Everton were a tough team to play, even away from Goodison Park, and they finished with a 5-8-6 away record, scoring 22 goals and conceding 25. It says a lot for the side that only the two Manchester clubs, who finished one and two in the League, lost fewer away games than Everton in the entire Premier League.
The team have become associated with those that make slow starts to a new season, but the win over United might indicate a change in those fortunes. It seems Everton have picked up from where they left off last season and they are now unbeaten in 10 Premier League games since being beaten by Arsenal back in March. That does include 5 unbeaten away from home, although the last 4 have been draws.
Kevin Mirallas should be in the squad after signing from Olympiakos, but it is unlikely that he will be starting. This may be unusual for Everton at this time of the season, but they have a fully fit squad to choose from.
Head to Head
Aston Villa and Everton played out two draws in the Premier League last season, including a 1-1 draw here at Villa Park.
Villa are unbeaten in their last 7 home games against Everton, although they have only won 1 of their last 4 against them here.
In fact, Villa have won just 3 of those 7 games.
Prediction
Everton are probably going to be a trendy pick this week considering the way they performed against Manchester United, but they haven't enjoyed much success at Villa Park in recent seasons and I also believe Aston Villa are likely to perform better than they did last week at Upton Park as they get used to Paul Lambert's methods and demands.
I don't really favour either of these teams to win the game and I am going to back the draw, something that all the statistics are pointing at right now.
Everton drew 8 times away from home last season, a number only bettered by Aston Villa who had 10 draws. Villa were also the draw specialists in the Premier League with 17 from their 38 League games, just a couple of games less than half of their games all season.
To further add to that point, 6 of the last 7 Premier League games between them have ended with the points shared and 3 of the last 4 at Villa Park have ended that way.
Both sides could struggle for goals in this game in my opinion and I wouldn't be surprised if it ends in a 1-1 scoreline. Everton look a little short considering their recent record at Villa Park, while Aston Villa still have to build some confidence off a long run without earning a win.
With that in mind, I think both managers will probably be secretly satisfied with a point from this game.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Aston Villa 1-1 Everton
