Aston Villa host Everton in England's second city in the Barclays Premier League early evening kick-off on Saturday. The hosts have only managed to gain four points in as many matches in the first games of the campaign, and will have to make do without the highly influential pair of goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez and creative force Emiliano Buendía. Meanwhile, the Toffees under Rafa Benítez are joint top at the time of writing despite missing striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and much of that has been owed to some shrewd signings out wide. Read our preview here:

Prime Targett

Dean Smith has been experimenting with his shape in 2021/2022, but whether that has been through accident or design is not currently known. A 3-5-2 formation, most likely to accommodate Ollie Watkins alongside hitman Danny Ings up top, has been tried, and was used unsuccessfully in an attempt to match up with Chelsea, who dispatched his men 3-0 in their last outing. The defensive third might be better served by a reversion to a flat four, with Matt Targett and Matty Cash being less relied upon to provide the vast majority of the width. The former has had a slow start this season, appearing bamboozled by Watford's Ismaila Sarr in the first fixture most notably. However, whilst there is no disgrace in that, the likelihood is he'll be up against Andros Townsend, who will both cut inside onto his left and remain high up the pitch in almost all open play situations.

The élan of Allan

The international break saw Benítez move for free agent Salomón Rondón to provide stiff competition for Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison in a central striking role, and the Venezuelan, who worked under the Liverpool legend at Newcastle United, made his debut for the blue half of the city as a substitute in the stunning comeback victory over Burnley. He might remain on the bench at the outset, but won't fail to be impressed with this new teammates on the field. Several players, such as midfielders Allan and Abdoulaye Doucouré, look to have found renewed impetus and vigour in a strategy that firmly emphasises crosses from out wide, and winning second balls on the edge of the box. Allan's ability to combine reliable, clean tackling with progressing with the ball on the dribble, ensuring the midfield three marry steel with the silk needed to include Townsend and Demarai Gray in the game at all times.

Villains butter-scotched

Smith has appeared largely reluctant to unleash Jamaican forward Leon Bailey from the outset, instead preferring to ease his transition into a new league and surroundings more cautiously. One of the interesting by-products of a comparatively miserly summer transfer window at Goodison Park has been to bring in players who have the know-how, but not always the consistent end product. At the moment, they are producing, and with Villa short of key players, bet365's odds of 3.00 for an away win seem generous.