Everton vs. Aston Villa Prediction, 7/16/20
Still fighting for their lives in the Premier League, 19th-placed Aston Villa is paying a visit to 11th-placed Everton, who are unbeaten in 10 consecutive home games in the league. Kick-off - at 13:00 PM ET on Thursday, July 16.
Everton Lose To Wolves
The chances of finishing in the top-six of the Premier League this year, thus qualifying for the Europa League next season, ended for Everton, who were beaten with a count of 3-0 by Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux Stadium on Sunday. The Toffees gave up 55% of ball possession and were outshot 14-6, allowing a penalty in first-half stoppage time before shipping in two more markers in the following frame. Everton has failed to win any of their previous three contests (D1 L2), recording just two victories on the last nine occasions (W2 D3 L4). The team sits 11th in the standings with a W12 D9 L14 record.
English forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin leads the Toffees with 13 league goals but has gone without scoring for seven straight fixtures. Goalie Jordan Pickford, meanwhile, sits 10th in the Premier League with 90 saves. He has posted eight clean sheets in 35 games this year and gives up a snipe every 61 minutes of play. Everton have buried the 11th highest quantity of goals during the current campaign (41), while delivering the 7th highest amount of shots per game (12.6). The team is 11th in both ball possession (48.5%) and passing accuracy (77.4%).
Aston Villa End Winless Streak
Aston Villa refused to give up on their hopes to remain in the Premier League for another season after ending a 10-game winless streak (D2 L8) with a 2-0 home victory against Crystal Palace at Villa Park on Sunday. After the visitors had a 7th-minute goal disallowed for handball, the Villans netted twice through Trezeguet, who found the back of the net in each half. Aston Villa, who had a second-half penalty decision overturned by VAR, scored as many goals versus the Eagles as they managed across their previous eight outings combined. The team is 19th in the league (W8 D6 L21), trailing safety by four points.
English playmaker Jack Grealish leads the Villans with seven Premier League strikes but has failed to find the back of the net for 12 straight EPL contests. Goalie Pepe Reina, meanwhile, resides 23rd in England’s top-flight with 33 saves. He has registered one clean sheet in nine appearances this year and concedes a goal every 45 minutes on average. Aston Villa has netted the 13th highest amount of goals this season (38) while taking the 11th highest number of shots per game (12). The team is 15th in ball possession (46.1%) and 12th in passing accuracy (77.1%).
Prediction
The chances of playing in the Europa League, let alone in the Champions League, next season has ended for Everton. Aston Villa, meanwhile, still retain hope of Premier League survival this year, trailing safety by four points with three games remaining. So, while the Toffees have nothing else to play for but their pride, the Villans will take this fixture as a must-win. Struggling for the whole season, especially on the road, where the team has lost 12 of its 17 league trips (W2 D3 L12), Villa have stepped up their game lately, showing plenty of character against the likes of Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers. And while Everton are unbeaten in 10 consecutive home games in the EPL (W5 D5), they have still managed to win just two of their previous nine league matches overall (W2 D3 L4).
Best bet:
Aston Villa Double Chance (Win or Draw) (-155)
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