Emery anticipates 'excited' Everton as Moyes returns to Goodison

Unai Emery is wary of the threat of an "excited" Everton to his Aston Villa side ahead of David Moyes' first match back at Goodison Park.

Moyes, who was previously Everton boss between 2002 and 2013, has returned to Merseyside, replacing the departed Sean Dyche.

While Everton will be hoping Moyes can lift them clear of relegation danger, Villa have loftier aims as they remain in the mix for European qualification.

But Emery acknowledged on Tuesday the impact Moyes might have back in the Everton dugout, even if he is urging his Villa players to focus on their own game.

Emery's men have lost their past five away Premier League matches, conceding at least twice in each.

"Our challenge is how we can compete away," the Villa manager said, "because the last matches we played away in Premier League, we didn't work, we didn't get points, and tomorrow is our challenge.

"It's difficult, because as well, it's Everton with a new coach, and of course I think they are going to be – the crowd and the players – very motivated, excited as well, with Moyes, because before he was a very successful coach there with them.

DM x LB3 pic.twitter.com/995oNIXxqV

— Everton (@Everton) January 14, 2025

"But we have to try to focus on our match, our gameplan, our idea to impose on the field, respecting them.

"Overall, maybe some tactical work they are going to change, but I think the players they are playing more or less, tomorrow they will be on the field defending Everton.

"Of course, we respect their players, we respect their stadium, we respect a new coach with a new idea, and I respect as well the difficulty we are going to face tomorrow.

"But, with everything, like I am explaining the difficulties, we are confident, and the opportunity we have tomorrow to try to change our bad results we have achieved in the last matches."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Everton – Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Calvert-Lewin has been nursing an ankle injury, but he is expected to return against Villa, and the pressure is on the Everton striker.

Moyes has made no secret of the need for Calvert-Lewin to step up, warning: "I have told him I am needing goals off him right away and he has to start delivering. We might look to strengthen in those areas [in the transfer market] if we can't get results ourselves."

Calvert-Lewin is without a goal in 15 Premier League appearances since netting in the reverse fixture, the second-longest drought of his career.

Aston Villa – Amadou Onana

Onana was not always widely appreciated at Goodison Park, but he has shown his class since leaving Everton for Villa at the start of this season.

While the midfielder's game is not necessarily about goals, his latest strike against West Ham in the FA Cup took him to four for the campaign – already as many as he managed across two years in Everton blue.

Onana came on as a substitute for fellow former Everton man Ross Barkley in that match, with the former England international's injury likely to ensure a start this time out.

Unai on team news: "Pau Torres, John McGinn and Ross Barkley; they are not available for tomorrow... Barkley more or less is two-three weeks more. McGinn he will need one week minimum to be more or less close with us, training and being available to play and Pau Torres is longer.… pic.twitter.com/R8lss5Ag2E

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 14, 2025

PREDICTION: ASTON VILLA WIN

Although Villa's away form has been woeful of late, they have dominated this fixture in recent seasons.

Everton are winless in 11 Premier League games against Villa, even losing at Villa Park in September after leading 2-0. At Goodison Park, Villa are unbeaten in five, keeping clean sheets on each of their past three visits.

Villa have never kept clean sheets in four consecutive league matches away to Everton, but the Toffees have failed to score in eight of their past 10 matches, resulting in Dyche's departure.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Everton – 30.2%

Draw – 27.6%

Aston Villa – 42.2%