Steven Gerrard back on Merseyside - expected fire

Everton welcome Aston Villa to Goodison Park in their first league action since the club dismissed Rafael Benitez of his duties.

The quest for a new manager continues with many names linked with the Toffees, former manager Roberto Martinez presents a very surprising suggestion with a romantic return to the club for Wayne Rooney looking a potentially crowd-pleasing appointment.

Villa have done their managerial business this season already, replacing Dean Smith with Steven Gerrard early on in the campaign and seeing a small but significant upturn in results since.

There are big prices on both sides to win this game outright with the visitors deserved narrow favourites.

Process

The two sides are evenly matched in the league table, on paper and also in looking into the expected goals (xG) processes.

Everton have been the better side in the offensive third this season and have narrowly underperformed to score 24 from 25.1 xGF, at a healthy average of 1.32 xGF per game given their 16th position in the league table.

It is nowhere near where they would like to be in the standings and also the underlying numbers, but in hoping to make a recovery this season they should not have many concerns.

Villa are the stronger defensive side but have experienced a significant drop-off from the excellent rearguard action they achieved last term.

Possibly, John Terry’s departure from the coaching staff could have something to do with that regression.

Goals?

My angle into this encounter, originally it looked like a very enticing price on Villa but with their xG actually worse than Everton, and the home advantage for the Toffees, getting goals onside seemed like the more sensible selection.

• Everton have scored in seven of ten.
• Everton have conceded in nine of ten.
• Everton have seen both teams score in seven of ten.
• Everton have seen over 2.5 goals in seven of ten.
• Villa have scored in eight of ten.
• Villa have conceded in eight of ten.
• Villa have seen both teams score in six of ten.
• Villa have seen over 2.5 goals in six of ten.

Duncan Ferguson will get some sort of reaction, we can be certain of that, personally I think it will be a bit of a gung ho one which could leave them exposed defensively.

Everton - Aston Villa Betting Tip

Both Teams Score with Betway at odds of 4/5 or 1.77.

Bet Both Teams to Score on Betway