David Moyes was quizzed about his frontmen and the fitness of Vitalii Mykolenko after Everton's 0-0 home draw with Aston Villa
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: David Moyes, Manager of Everton, gives the team instructions during the Premier League match between Everton and Aston Villa at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
David Moyes, manager of Everton, gives his team instructions during the Premier League match with Aston Villa at Hill Dickinson Stadium
(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Everton manager David Moyes has explained his decision over his striker selection. But admits he’s in the dark as to when Vitalii Mykolenko will be fit to return.
Despite dominating proceedings and creating several inviting opportunities to score, the Blues were held to a goalless draw by Aston Villa, the only Premier League side yet to hit the net so far this season, at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Beto, who spearheaded the attack from the start, missed a string of chances before being replaced by summer signing Thierno Barry, who was also denied by a last-gasp challenge from Tyrone Mings late on.
Beto had netted in each of the previous matches whereas Barry is yet to open is account and when asked about what shaped his thinking over his striker selection, Moyes said: “Just the goals. I might just chop and change for no particular reason.
“At the moment, I’m also introducing a boy who has not played in the Premier League, a centre-forward I should say who has not played in the Premier League.
“I want to give him the opportunities to see what he can do and if he can keep stepping up.
“But I don’t want to put too much pressure on him right away to show.”
Everton’s next opponents are Liverpool next Saturday as they prepare for the first Merseyside derby where they will travel from the Mersey waterfront rather than ‘crossing Stanley Park.’
However, Moyes – who was forced to revert to playing central midfielder James Garner at left-back – insisted he did not know whether Mykolenko, who had started the two previous games before withdrawing from international duty with Ukraine, would be available to face the reigning Premier League champions.
Asked what Mykolenko’s chances were for being fit to come up against Arne Slot’s side, Moyes said: “I have no idea yet.”