Club football makes a welcome return this weekend after a fortnight-long international break, with Aston Villa the visitors to Goodison as we begin life without Mikel Arteta.Forwards Jermaine Beckford and Yakubu have also departed since the last-gasp win at Ewood Park, whilst Argie forward Denis Stracqualursi and Dutch winger Royston Drenthe have joined from Tigre and Real Madrid respectively.
Their first match will be preceded by a protest against the stagnation of the club staged by a group of supporters under the banner of 'the Blue Union'. You can find out more about that here, but I'll concentrate on what is going to happen inside the ground.
Supporters wishing to see Stracqualursi and Drenthe make their debuts may have to wait a while as there are doubts over both players' match fitness. Which is understandable, considering that neither have played for over two months.
Victor Anichebe has also been ruled out for three months after picking up a groin injury playing for Nigeria. That news leaves us dangerous short up front with Saha and Stracqualursi doubts and Anichebe out. Cahill and Fellaini it is then...
There is, however, some positive news on the injury front as Seamus Coleman and Magaye Gueye could be available for selection against Villa after recovering from ankle and toe injuries respectively. Leighton Baines, who withdrew from the England squad due to injury, may also make the game, whilst David Moyes revealed on Friday that 'John Heitinga had a bit of a knock but hopefully he will be okay'.
We often struggle against Villa. Indeed, we haven't come out on top in 10 attempts since May 2006. The fixtures do, however, tend to be tight affairs - with Villa's last-minute 2-3 win at Goodison a few years back a prime example. Last campaign's corresponding fixture finished in a 2-2 draw which, but for some poor officiating to disallow Jermaine Beckford's goal, could well have been a home victory.
The second-city claret and blues are unbeaten in three at the start of this campaign, with two Alec McLeish-inspired goalless draws and a home win over Blackburn so far. Like Everton, there is clear frustration amongst fans at Villa, demonstrated by the attendance of under 31,000 for the derby clash with Wolves at Villa Park.
They sold two of their most prized assets (Downing and Young) this Summer but still have plenty of firepower to hurt Everton. Darren Bent is a slight doubt but, although I certainly hope the game comes too soon for him, he is expected to be fit. Jermaine Jenas and Alan Hutton are in line to make their debuts. Oh, and sod's law N'Zogbia scores...
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STAT'S LIFE
Welcome to stat set no. 4 of the 2011/2012 campaign
- Only one of Everton's last eight league games has seen more than 2.5 goals.
- This fixture is the most played top-flight fixture (192). Villa have 72 wins to Everton's 70.
- Tim Cahill has 7 goals against Aston Villa - his highest number against any team whilst playing for Everton.
- If selected, Phil Neville will make his 200th Everton appearance and Leon Osman his 250th.
- This is the 550th league match in the managerial career of David Moyes.
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StickyToffee Prediction: Everton 1-1 Aston Villa
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