Match Preview: Everton v Aston Villa
By: Chris | February 13th, 2009Everton v Aston Villa
FA Cup Fifth (FIFTH!) Round
Goodison Park
Sunday 15th February 2009, 2.30pm
Pic: 4thegame
Once again, I find myself in the bizarre position of not only being entirely not bothered about an Aston Villa match, but I have to write a preview of it. It’s the FA Cup again this weekend, and the threat of a possible two games against very tough Premier League opposition in a competition that really doesn’t matter this season.
I’d love to feel like a hypocrite while wearing a claret and blue jester’s hat down Wembley Way in May.
League Form Guide
Aston Villa: WWWWDW (Premier League)
Third-placed Villa are on one hell of a run, smashing a club record for consecutive away league wins by defeating Blackburn last weekend. It was the seventh on the spin. Our form looks great, dating back to Hull City and followed up by wins over Olbiyun, Pompey and Sunderland. We dropped two points at home against Wigan, but we’re very strong on the road. Villa progressed by beating Doncaster in the replay in the fourth round.
Everton: WWDDLW (Premier League)
Everton have been picking up points without a recognised striker for a while now, but the arrival of Jo enabled a convincing demolition of Bolton last weekend. Defeat to Manchester United stands alone in an impressive run where Everton bagged a point apiece for games against Liverpool and Arsenal. They defeated Liverpool in replay extra time in the last round.
Team News
Everton are waiting on the fitness of midfield haircut-on-legs Marouane Fellaini. Stephen Pienaar misses out through injury and on-loan striker Jo is cup-tied having miraculously actually played for Manchester City in the third round. Louis Saha has been mentioned as a possible returnee from injury.
Carlos Cuellar and Nigel Reo-Coker miss out through injury, meaning Craig Gardner should start at right back. Steve Sidwell could step in for suspended skipper Gareth Barry, while Luke Young is expected to be fit after missing out for England in midweek. He’s too good for them anyway. Emile Heskey aggravated an injury in that game and is a doubt. In truth, I couldn’t give a monkeys who plays.
Why Everton away is a must-win
Well, it’s a must win or must lose. It’s a must-not-draw.
Betting
| Outlet | Home Win | Draw | Away Win |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bet365 | 11/8 | 9/4 | 2/1 |
| SkyBet | 11/8 | 9/4 | 2/1 |
| Paddy Power | 7/5 | 9/4 | 2/1 |
Villa’s confidence on their travels this season is absolutely sky-high, and sod’s law dictates that we’ll progress on Sunday when it doesn’t really matter. 2-1 Villa.
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Category: Match Previews
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Comments
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I would not be surprised to see Everton throw everything they have at Villa – the elimination of the Intertoto makes 6th less valuable real-estate than before. If they can’t catch Arsenal (or Chelsea?), that only leaves the three Cups. (The quickest way in, of course, is for United to beat Tottenham… but after all, the Carling could very well end up fourth on Fergie’s priority list.)
And I agree absolutely – NO DRAWS! Do you think we could get the FA to agree to do the no-replay thing for us the way United wanted?
Posted from
United States
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There’s no way Everton would go for it, for the reasons you outlined. Besides which, I don’t care about the cup this year largely because I’ve grown frustrated at three tough away draws when we don’t need them. I certainly don’t want to disrespect it like that.
I don’t mind losing on this occasion, but I’d love to win and I have more respect for the cup than to hope we go easy.
As you say, Everton will be well up for this. Revenge would be sweet for them, I’m sure, but I’ll take three points at Goodison over a cup quarter final this season.
Posted from
United Kingdom -
this is gonna be good. slugfest.
Posted from
United States
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