Aston Villa v Everton Preview

Tight affair could lead to no score draw

Aston Villa v Everton Preview:

Premier League: Saturday, 14 January 2012 3pm

Author: Thomas Rooney 12/01/2012

Two teams failing to meet their expectations for the season do battle at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon as 13th placed Aston Villa take on 11th placed Everton at 3pm.

Both teams need a strong second-half to the season, that’s for sure. Otherwise, there is bound to be unrest. Aston Villa have to finish above 13th and Everton have to finish above 11th. That’s how their fans will see it anyway.

This means that they need a stronger second half to the season than the first. They both need to score more goals, they both need to play with more confidence and quite simply, they both need to win more games.

Referring to Villa to begin with, it has been well documented that Alex McLeish hasn’t won over the fans quite yet. They are unconvinced by the football and unsure about the direction the team is heading in.

The fact of the matter is that they have won just five of their 20 league games too. Only Wolves, QPR, Wigan and Blackburn have won less and this perhaps shows that, unless things improve, a relegation battle is more likely than anything more positive.

There is the small matter of Robbie Keane arriving from LA Galaxy on-loan that could give the whole place a lift though. The former Tottenham man is a proven Premier League goalscorer and should be able to give Darren Bent some help going forward.

Villa go above Everton if they win this one, so perhaps three points on Saturday could be the start of a more positive spell for McLeish’s men.

As for Everton, well their season has been arguably more frustrating. There is never going to be any danger of relegation or anything like that, but Everton fans want more from their team.

Perhaps reaching the Champions League a few years ago has influenced their expectations, but rightly so. They know their team is capable of much more and they want a positive 2012.

On the transfer front, they have brought in Landon Donovan to give their attack – which has only managed five goals in the last eight Premier League games – while Darren Gibson looks set to arrive from Manchester United too.

Overall, this is a clash between two teams that will be determined to finish above each other this season. Both Villa and Everton are in a similar position right now and both might be scared to lose this one, so a no score draw could be on the cards.

Match bet: Draw @ 23/10 with Skybet - (Ł10 free bet - No deposit)

Correct score prediction: Aston Villa 0-0 Everton @ 7/1 with Bet365 - get your stake money back if the game finishes 0-0.