Aston Villa and Tottenham fans are feeling optimistic ahead of the new season, but confidence at Everton is described as being “close to zero.”
The new Premier League campaign starts on Friday night when Coventry host champions Arsenal, kicking off nine months of drama.
Villa, Tottenham and Everton are big clubs with demanding fanbases, but how will they fare in 2026/27?
Here’s how a supporter of each has assessed the upcoming season.
Aston Villa
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 9, 2024: Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Aston Villa FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 9, 2024: Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Aston Villa FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Last season: 4th
TIA predicted finish: 7th
Best XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Onana, McGinn; Manzambi, Watkins, Buendia
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Friday, May 15, 2026: Liverpool's Joe Gomez is challenged by Aston Villa's Emiliano Buendía (R) during the FA Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Friday, May 15, 2026: Liverpool's Joe Gomez is challenged by Aston Villa's Emiliano Buendía (R) during the FA Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
THE VIEW FROM VILLA
Simon O’Regan (@SiORegan)
Where will Aston Villa finish? 5th
Where will Liverpool finish? 3rd
Who will win the title? Arsenal (annoyingly!)
Favourite and least favourite Liverpool player: Favourite – Federico Chiesa.
Least favourite – Alexis Mac Allister.
One player you wish Aston Villa would sign realistically: Morgan Gibbs-White would come but the price wouldn’t be realistic, so I’ll go for Nicolas Jackson.
How’s your optimism for the season ahead? It kind of depends on if Konsa and Watkins are a) still at the club or b) who they’re replaced by if they’re sold.
But as long as Emery is still in charge, I’m incredibly optimistic.
Advice for visiting fans: With our home record under Emery, unless you’re a Crystal Palace fan, prepare yourself to leave Villa Park empty-handed.
Tottenham
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, March 31, 2024: Brighton & Hove Albion's manager Roberto De Zerbi during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, March 31, 2024: Brighton & Hove Albion's manager Roberto De Zerbi during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Last season: 17th
TIA predicted finish: 6th
Best XI: Kinsky; Porro, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Robertson; Tonali, Fernandez; Kudus, Maddison, Tel; Solanke
THE VIEW FROM SPURS
Sam Hawkey (@samhawkey)
Where will Tottenham finish? In the words of Jamie O’Hara, Spurs are back! We’ve got a good team. Top six, probably sixth.
Where will Liverpool finish? I think they will be fifth. From what used to be a great-looking backline, it’s now very thin.
Who will win the title? Arsenal unfortunately. They are so solid and everyone else is in a transition year.
Favourite and least favourite Liverpool player: Favourite player is Szoboszlai. All action and his ball striking is sexual!
Liverpool are generally a pretty likeable team, but recently, Curtis Jones has been pretty unlikeable.
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Federico Chiesa (L) celebrates with Dominik Szoboszlai after scoring his side's third goal during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Federico Chiesa (L) celebrates with Dominik Szoboszlai after scoring his side's third goal during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
One player you wish Tottenham would sign, realistically: Ollie Watkins. We would make him the main man, as it’s the last piece we need.
How’s your optimism for the season ahead? Good. New manager, new signings and complete focus on the Premier League.
We won’t get carried away, but there’s a chance we can do OK in the league and go far in a cup before really pushing on next season.
Advice for visiting fans: Don’t worry about the view on the way in because the stadium will make up for it when she comes into view.
Everton
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 20, 2025: Everton's manager David Moyes reacts during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC at Anfield. The 247th Merseyside Derby. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 20, 2025: Everton's manager David Moyes reacts during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC at Anfield. The 247th Merseyside Derby. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Last season: 13th
TIA predicted finish: 11th
Best XI: Pickford; Rohl, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Norgaard, Garner; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, George; Barry
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 19, 2026: Liverpool's Curtis Jones challenges Everton's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (R) during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC, the 248th Merseyside Derby, at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 19, 2026: Liverpool's Curtis Jones challenges Everton's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (R) during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC, the 248th Merseyside Derby, at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
THE VIEW FROM EVERTON
Matt Jones (@MattJFootball)
Where will Everton finish? No higher than last season. Thirteenth, unless Everton sign two new starting full-backs.
If they do box that before the end of the window, then maybe they can push for a top-half finish.
Where will Liverpool finish? Fourth? It’s so hard to judge a lot of the big-spending teams with new managers this summer.
At the back and at the base of midfield, there seem to be issues, but I’m sure plenty will be offset by another £100 million+ forward if Barcola signs.
Who will win the title? Arsenal. Hard to see anyone else matching their consistency given the summer upheaval.
Arsenal's Martin Odegaard holds the FA Community Shield as they celebrate their victory during the FA Community Shield match at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Sunday August 16, 2026.
Arsenal's Martin Odegaard holds the FA Community Shield as they celebrate their victory during the FA Community Shield match at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Sunday August 16, 2026.
Favourite and least favourite Liverpool player: None of them really spark much emotion!
Naturally, none of them are favourites and, in lieu of Andy Robertson, there are no pantomime villains either. Feel like quite a normal set of lads.
One player you wish Everton would sign, realistically: Any right-back will do, but Munoz at Palace would be a fine plug-and-play option.
How is your optimism for the season ahead? Close to zero. After the way last season ended and with Moyes out of contract in the summer, it feels like a year the club is just trying to get through.
Advice for visiting fans: Walk to the new stadium from town if it’s a sunny day.
Wrap up and take shelter if it isn’t!