Aston Villa vs Everton: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction

Saturday's Premier League action will close out with Everton's trip to Villa Park to face Aston Villa.

The hosts have had a mixed start to the current season, picking up just four points from their opening four games, and they come into this one looking to recover from the 3-0 thumping they received from Chelsea last time out.

As for Everton, they're flying high on a run of three wins and a draw to start the season. Only goal difference separates them from leaders Manchester United.

Here's 90min's preview of the game.


How to watch Aston Villa vs Everton on TV/live stream

What time is kick off? Saturday 18 September, 17:30 (BST)
Where is it being played? Villa Park
TV channel? Sky Sports Main Event (UK), fuboTV (US)
Highlights? Sky Sports YouTube Channel (UK) Match of the Day (BBC - UK)
Referee? Craig Pawson
VAR? Paul Tierney


Aston Villa team news

Martinez should return in goal | Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images

Dean Smith is hoping to welcome goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and midfielder Emiliano Buendia back from quarantine. The duo have been keeping fit in isolation in Croatia and could be thrust straight back into the lineup.

Martinez is likely to replace Jed Steer in goal, but Buendia could be kept on the sidelines by the returning Bertrand Traore, who is back in training after shaking off an injury.

Trezeguet, Keinan Davis, Jaden Philogene-Bidace and Carney Chukwuemeka all remain sidelined.


Everton team news

Calvert-Lewin is battling injury | Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

The biggest news for Everton is the continued absence of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is not expected to be seen before October's international break as he battles with his thigh injury.

There could, however, be a return for James Rodriguez, who has been training regularly with the squad after failing to seal a move away from the club this summer, although Rafa Benitez may be reluctant to risk upsetting the balance of his squad by including an unsettled player.

Benitez will also have to decide on his formation. He began with a 3-4-3 against Burnley but saw better results when he reverted to a four-man defence early in the second half.


Aston Villa vs Everton predicted lineups

Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Luiz, McGinn, Ramsey; Traore, Ings, Bailey

Everton: Pickford; Coleman, Mina, Keane, Digne; Allan, Doucoure, Gomes; Townsend, Richarlison, Gray


Aston Villa vs Everton head-to-head record

The history books suggest Everton have the upper hand against Villa, but recent fixtures have not worked out that way at all. It's the Villains who have enjoyed most of the success since their return to the top flight.

Last year brought us a 0-0 draw and a 2-1 win for Villa, the latter of which was won by a stunner from Anwar El Ghazi.

Smith's side also picked up four points from their two meetings with Everton in 2020, with the Toffees' last win coming in a 3-1 victory back in March 2016.


Aston Villa vs Everton score prediction

Villa will fancy themselves for this one | Visionhaus/Getty Images

These are two free-flowing sides who can easily combine for a lot of goals, so it could come down to which side is better equipped to take their chances.

Villa have both Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins capable of putting the ball in the back of the net, whereas Everton will have to cope without the injured Calvert-Lewin, whose absence puts even more pressure on Demarai Gray to keep up his electric form in front of goal.

Can the former Leicester man do it? Perhaps, but he find himself lacking the help needed to get a result here.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Everton


Source : 90min