Aston Villa have lost both their Premier League games since promotion so can Dean Smith lead them to victory against Everton at Villa Park?
Everton coach Marco Silva said what every Aston Villa fan is thinking ahead of Friday night’s Premier League clash – Dean Smith’s side deserve more than they have got so far.
Villa were excellent at spells during their Premier League opener against Tottenham Hotspur with only a late Harry Kane brace brutally undoing the good work of Tyrone Mings, Bjorn Engels and John McGinn.
The Midland giants outplayed Bournemouth at Villa Park last week too, only to be consigned to another defeat by two-quickfire goals in the first 12 minutes.
Aston Villa are back in action against Everton tonight, however, though defeating a Toffees side who haven’t conceded a goal in their first two games of the 2019/20 season is easier said than done.
But it’s fair to say Silva isn’t taking a currently sitting in 17th for granted.
“We have to respect our opponent, they have quality,” the former Watford boss told Sky.
“The two results they achieved when you analyse the matches, they were close to getting a good result. I think they deserved more.
“They like to play good, offensive football and the game will be open. It is up to us to prove that we are able to win the match.”
There have been plenty of positives for Smith so far though he will be desperate to prove that his Aston Villa team can perform for a full 90 minutes and avoid the kind of defensive lapses that cost them dear against both Spurs and Bournemouth.
Tom Heaton, Mings, McGinn, Jack Grealish and £22 million striker Wesley Moraes form a spine with so much potential and don’t bet against Villa producing a result that matches their performance when Everton come to town.
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