Marco Silva’s Everton will travel to Villa Park on Friday night for an intriguing Premier League clash against Aston Villa.
Dean Smith is fully aware that his Aston Villa side face a tough challenge opening up Everton’s defence during Friday night’s Premier League clash at Villa Park, while speaking to the Mirror (23 August, page 76).
Earlier this month, Toffees coach Marco Silva vented his frustration after the transfer window slammed shut without Everton signing a single centre-half to replace the departed duo Phil Jagielka and Kurt Zouma (Liverpool Echo).
But maybe his concerns were a little premature. Everton have started the season with successive clean sheets against Crystal Palace and Watford with £28 million man Yerry Mina stepping up to the plate and producing his best performances so far for the Merseyside giants.
And Smith is fully aware of the challenge facing a Villa side who have picked up zero points from a possible six so far with new £22 million striker Wesley Moraes struggling to make an impression on English shores.
“(Everton’s) defensive record is very good. That is a tactical equation we have to come up. And I believe we have the quality to do that,” said the former Brentford boss.
“They were a top ten club last season and have spent money to push into the top six. Their defensive organisation has been very good.”
Wesley has not come close to a goal since joining Aston Villa from Club Brugge and it’s fair to say the Premier League represents a substantial step up from the Belgian first division.
Yet Smith will be hopeful that the Brazilian’s pace and power will make him a match for the Colombian man-mountain that is Mina, not to mention the in-form yet unpredictable Michael Keane.
Jack Grealish, John McGinn and Trezeguet have also shown flashes of quality so far and Aston Villa are hardly short of cutting edge or creativity. Everton; you have been warned.
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