Everton vs Aston Villa | Football Previews & Free Betting Tips | 13th September 2025

Everton welcome Aston Villa to Hill Dickinson Stadium on 13 September in what already feels like a fixture that could help define the early Premier League season. Everton have been in good nick recently, building momentum with a string of victories, while Villa are trying to find consistency and shake off a patchy start. The atmosphere is likely to be electric: home supporters keen to back their team in the new stadium, and away fans hopeful their side can quieten the crowd. Tactically, Everton are likely to set up in a balanced formation, maybe a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, looking to be disciplined at the back and hit on the break. Villa may dominate possession, look to circulate the ball, probe through midfield and try to control tempo, but their defensive work will be under scrutiny given Everton’s ability to exploit counter-spaces.

Everton have several injury doubts. Iliman Ndiaye is expected to miss out, while Adam Aznou, Vitalii Mykolenko and Nathan Patterson are doubtful. Jarrad Branthwaite remains unavailable as he steps up his rehab. Their defence may be a little depleted, so experience in the backline (e.g. James Tarkowski, Michael Keane) will likely be crucial. In midfield and attack, the likes of Jack Grealish (on form), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Beto or Thierno Barry could carry most of the creative load.

Aston Villa are also struggling with injuries. Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara are sidelined with hamstring injuries. Matty Cash is dealing with a knock. Andrés García is feeling some physical discomfort. Ross Barkley is lacking full match fitness. Those absences weaken their depth, especially in midfield and at full-back. Key players like Ollie Watkins and Youri Tielemans will need to be at their sharpest to carry Villa through.

Looking at the last 10 competitive matches, Everton have won 7, drawn 2, lost 1. They’ve been scoring at a good rate (around 1.7 per game) and conceding roughly 1.0. They’ve kept clean sheets in about 3 of those 10. There is a trend: more of their goals come in the second half (about 65 %) than the first.
Villa are less consistent: their last 10 tally something like 4 wins, 2 draws, 4 losses. Goals scored per game are around 1.3, conceded about 1.2. Clean sheets similarly only about 3 in those 10. Their strength seems more in possession, but they haven’t always turned that into results early in matches. Set piece goals are a modest but relevant source for both sides.

Everton at home in their last 10 home fixtures: winning percentage is fairly strong, scoring around 1.7 goals per home game, and conceding perhaps 0.9 on average. Clean sheets are a little more frequent at home than away.
Villa away over their last 10 away games: less consistent, fewer wins, more draws and losses. Goals scored away are slightly lower than at home; defensive lapses tend to be punished. Their away clean sheets are rare.

Everton: Jack Grealish is in excellent form. Since joining, his creativity and ability to beat defenders will pose a real threat, especially if Villa leave space behind their midfield. Also keep an eye on Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall who offers linking runs and energy. At the back, James Tarkowski’s experience could prove crucial given the injury doubts around the defence.

Aston Villa: Youri Tielemans in midfield will be vital in keeping Villa ticking—dictating play, distributing, and preventing Everton breaking through too easily. Ollie Watkins will be the main outlet up front; if he gets service from wide or from midfield, he could cause problems. Also one to watch is Harvey Elliot, whose movement and dribbles may open up Everton’s backline, especially given Everton may be missing full-backs or depth.

I’m leaning towards a tight affair but one where Everton just shade it. My prediction: 2–1 home win. Everton’s form, home advantage and Villa’s injury list swing things slightly in favour of the Blues. Expect a lively match, possibly a nervous start, but Everton’s sharper finish to games could tell late.

Main pick: Back Everton to win. Their recent run suggests they can do just enough, especially at home and against a Villa side missing key players.

Value bet: Both teams to score. Given the attacking potential on both sides and Villa’s tendency to concede, there’s good chance BTTS hits.

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