Premier League: Everton v Aston Villa match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's fixture at Goodison Park

Everton striker Romelu Lukaku pictured receiving treatment during the Merseyside derby (GETTY IMAGES)

Everton will look to reignite their push for Champions League football this year, with a win against Aston Villa this Saturday.

A growing injury list – headed by the absence of top scorer Romelu Lukaku – and a 4-0 derby day drubbing means that this is a real test of character for Roberto Martinez’ men.

The Villains head to Goodison Park with an in-form Christian Benteke in their pack; the Belgian forward seems to have rediscovered last season’s touch with three goals in his last three matches, after going 13 without a goal.

Villa will be full of confidence following their dramatic 4-3 win against local rivals West Brom; a result that lifted them in to the top half of the table, and – perhaps more importantly – eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Kick Off: Saturday, 3.00pm.

Past meetings:

Aston Villa 0 Everton 2 (Lukaku, Osman), Premier League, 26 October 2010.

Everton 3 (Anichebe, Fellaini 2) Aston Villa 3 (Benteke 2, Agbonlahor), Premier League, 2 February 2013.

Aston Villa 1 (El Ahmadi) Everton 3 (Pienaar, Fellaini, Jelavic), Premier League 25 August 2012.

Aston Villa 1 (Bent) Everton 1 (Anichebe), Premier League, 14 January 2012.

Stats:

Aston Villa have picked up the most yellow cards this season (52).

Incredibly, in the 197 meetings between the teams, Everton and Villa have won 72 games each.

Everton complete the most successful dribbles per game (12.5) in the league. In contrast, only Hull and Sunderland complete less successful dribbles than Villa (6.9).

Everton’s Seamus Coleman is the top-scoring defender in the Premier League this season (five).

Odds:

Everton to win: 1.44

Aston Villa to win: 7

Draw: 4.33

TV: Highlights on BBC One at 10.30pm.