The 2024/25 campaign is well underway and Aston Villa have carried on from where they left off last season.
Aston Villa have recorded two victories from their first three matches, with their only defeat coming against Arsenal; a game they could and should have won.
The Villans were 2-1 victors over Leicester City last time out as Amadou Onana and Jhon Duran scored for the second time this term.
Heading into their clash against Everton this evening, Unai Emery’s men will be confident of making it three wins from four, especially because they’re unbeaten in 10 matches against the Toffees.
Paul Merson certainly thinks they will, predicting a comfortable 3-0 win for Villa, with Chris Sutton now issuing his prediction.
What Chris Sutton said about Ollie Watkins in Aston Villa vs Everton prediction
For Villa to keep hot in their pursuit of the Champions League places, these are the sort of games Emery’s men have to be winning.
Everton were relegation threatened throughout last season and so far, are showing no signs of improvement, losing each of their first three matches.
As previously mentioned, Aston Villa are unbeaten against the Blues since returning to the Premier League in 2019 and Sutton believes they will continue their flawless recent form in this fixture.
Predicting Villa to win 2-0, Sutton wrote in his column for BBC Sport: “It feels like some of their fans have turned against Dyche now, which I think is ridiculous, but he does need a result and unfortunately for him Villa Park is not a place I see Everton getting anything.
“The Toffees got hammered 4-0 there last season and, although they will put up a fight, they are not going to get a result on this occasion either.
“How many goals Villa get might depend on whether Ollie Watkins is fit. He’s in my Fantasy team, which is bad news for him anyway, but he is an injury doubt after pulling out of the England squad.”
Sutton thinks how many goals Villa score will depend on Ollie Watkins fitness and luckily, Emery provided an injury update on Watkins in Friday’s press conference.
- READ MORE: Alan Shearer shares ‘disappointing’ ticket price verdict in Aston Villa vs Everton prediction
Aston Villa injury news vs Everton
Watkins withdrew from international duty with England but is set to return for the visit of the Toffees this evening.
Emery confirmed that the 28-year-old along with Ezri Konsa – who was forced off the pitch against Finland on the hour mark – will both take their place in the squad this weekend.
Speaking to the media ahead of the match, the Spanish boss said on Watkins: “He is progressing, getting better, feeling better and is in the squad. For tomorrow, he will be available to play.”
Villa boss Emery also dropped a selection hint on striker Jhon Duran, so it will be interesting to see who starts between him and Watkins against Everton.
