Everton have surprised the rest of the Premier League with their start, and David Moyes is already preparing for Aston Villa.
Even though the international break kills some momentum in the Everton camp, it’s a good time to rest and recuperate.
Moyes won’t be too pleased that the break has come at this time, with the Toffees on great form, and the Scotsman nominated for manager of the month.
It’s unfortunate, but it also has positives as new boy Merlin Rohl has time to settle in, with Rohl already impressing in training.
But before the national team duty even rolled around for a small part of the Everton squad, Moyes was up to his own tricks.
Everton boss David Moyes alongside Aston Villa manager Unai Emery.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Everton’s David Moyes spotted sizing up Aston Villa at Crystal Palace game
The start to this season is very refreshing from an Everton point of view, and to return to the Hill Dickinson Stadium after the break will be a boost.
Villa are out of form at the moment compared to the Toffees, so there could also be reason to believe Everton are firm favourites.
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Branthwaite is edging closer to a return, which might give him a chance for the Villa game, and the Toffees manager is doing everything he can to gain an advantage.
The Times report that Moyes was spotted at Villa Park watching Unai Emery’s side face Crystal Palace.
It’s said that the Scotsman likes ‘sizing up’ the next opposition in person, as Moyes watched on from the directors’ box to witness Crystal Palace dismantle next Saturday’s opponents.
Everton haven’t beaten Aston Villa in the Premier League since 2016
Although the Toffees are looking in a much better position at the moment, it’s been Villa who have had the success in this fixture in recent years.
The Villans were Moyes’ first game, as his return began with a 1-0 defeat in January, at the hands of Ollie Watkins, and their recent form against the West Midlands side doesn’t bode well.
2024/25 Everton 0-1 Aston Villa
2024/25 Aston Villa 3-2 Everton
2023/24 Everton 0-0 Aston Villa
2023/24 Aston Villa 4-0 Everton
2022/23 Everton 0-2 Aston Villa
2022/23 Aston Villa 2-1 Everton
Everton’s last six Premier League meetings vs Aston Villa
This is just the last five in the Premier League; in fact, the Blues haven’t beaten the Claret and Blue side since 2016, in a 3-1 win under Roberto Martinez.
Moyes wanted to add ‘quality’ after the Villa defeat, and now that he has done, the work can be put in, as this nine-year drought can come to an end.