View: Three Everton threats Aston Villa must consider
Aston Villa travel to Goodison Park at the weekend looking to avoid four defeats on the spin as they face Sean Dyche’s rejuvenated Everton.
The Toffees have won two out of the three games they have played under the former Burnley boss and have, once again, made their historical home a hard place to visit.
The Blues have beaten Leeds United and league leaders Arsenal in their last two games on Merseyside and promise to be another tough examination of the Villans.
Despite Aston Villa’s poor recent run of results, the performances have been there to some extent, with the 3-1 defeat against Manchester City probably the worst recent display. The dramatic 4-2 loss to Arsenal was a bitter pill to swallow, but there were still positives to take.
Unai Emery’s side will need to replicate a similar performance at the weekend if they wish to take anything home from Goodison Park, and here, Villa News takes a look at three of Everton’s stronger areas.
The great wall of Pickford
Despite sitting in 16th position, Everton have the second-best defensive record in the bottom half of the table behind West Ham United and a large part of this is down to Jordan Pickford.
The 28-year-old is set to sign a new contract at Goodison Park and has been a key part of the Toffees’ relatively rigid backline. Pickford’s importance is displayed by the high number of shots Everton allow on their goal.
As per Wyscout, the former Sunderland man has faced the fourth most shots in the top flight (112), but still holds one of the better defensive records.
Throughout the course of the campaign, the 28-year-old has prevented over six goals for Dyche’s side and has stepped up in vital moments. Ollie Watkins has found a goalscoring touch of late, and he must ensure his composed finishing is replicated in order to beat the in-form keeper.
In form McNeil
It shouldn’t come as a surprise to see Dwight McNeil’s form improve under Dyche. The pair worked together at Burnley and the midfielder has been mightily impressive in recent weeks.
One area of McNeil’s game which has been key has been his ability to produce pinpoint crosses. Over the course of the 2022/23 season, he has ranked 17th in the whole of the Premier League for the number of crosses attempted per 90 minutes (3.5).
His average has significantly risen under Dyche, with the winger managing nine crosses against Leeds, five against Liverpool and seven against Arsenal. Everton do lack a clinical striker, but ensuring McNeil’s deliveries are stopped at source is essential.
Patience
Aston Villa must ensure they’re patient when trying to break down this stubborn Everton defence. James Tarkowski has completed the most interceptions and blocks in the Premier League this season which shows the level of defender they’re coming up against.
They have a set way of playing and know how to restrict their opponents to very little. Longer balls and aimless crosses won’t cut it against the Toffees. Ensuring there is a little bit of creativity on the pitch will be vital as Emery looks to avoid four straight defeats.
In other Aston Villa news, the club want to reunite with a former player for a fee in excess of £40million in the summer.