Key events
Aston Villa will set a new club record of 12 consecutive home wins if they beat Everton today – their previous record of 11 coming under Tony Barton in 1983.
“We are not feeling something extra, we are feeling we need three points,” said Unai Emery this week. “Maybe we can get some new target for winning our matches in a row, but the priority is to win. If we are winning, we are achieving [the record].
“It’s not the mentality we have. The mentality we have is to focus on each match with the points we have and the competition we’re facing and to get the points we need for our consistency in the top positions in the Premier League.”
Starting lineups
Youri Tielemans comes in for the injured Boubacar Kamara in the Villa midfield, while Ollie Watkins starts in place of Donyell Malen (who has since joined Roma on loan) from the FA Cup win against Tottenham last weekend.
Thierno Barry replaces Beto up front for Everton and Jack Grealish returns to the XI in place of Tyler Dibling in two changes from the Cup defeat to Sunderland. Michael Keane is serving the second of a three-match ban.
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martínez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Bogarde, Tielemans; McGinn, Buendía, Rogers; Watkins.
Subs: Bizot, Wright, Lindelöf, Digne, García, Mings, Hemmings, Guessand, Jimoh-Aloba.
Everton (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Patterson, Tarkowski, O’Brien, Mykolenko; Garner, Röhl; McNeil, Armstrong, Grealish; Barry.
Subs: Travers, King, Coleman, Aznou, Dibling, Beto, Welch, Campbell.
Preamble
Yes, it’s still only January but Aston Villa are well in the Premier League title race. And after both Arsenal and Manchester City dropped points yesterday, they now have the chance to make some gains. Avoiding defeat at home to Everton this afternoon would send Villa above City into second and a win would take them to within four points of leaders Arsenal.
Everton need no reminding of how stern a test they are facing today, visiting a Villa team that have won their last 11 matches at Villa Park – their best run since they were reigning European champions in 1982-83. David Moyes’ side have, however, won three of their last five on the road.
Team news is on the way shortly. Be sure to get in touch with your thoughts on the game, whether from the stands or the sofa.
