Aston Villa vs Everton preview: xG, shots on target %, predicted XIs – Premier League stats | OneFootball

Aston Villa will face Everton on Saturday night in matchweek 5 of the Premier League 2021-22 campaign at Villa Park.

We predict the results for you with some stats.

Aston Villa have not had a dream start to the season after a successful transfer window, still trying to cope up with the departure of Jack Grealish to Manchester City. They currently sit 12th in the table with only a win in the last four matches. They have drawn one and lost the other two and would certainly like to improve in the coming weeks.

Dean Smith’s men have scored five goals in four matches from an xG of 5.26. They have been at par with their xG but have conceded more than what they have scored, seven. Summer signing from Southampton, Danny Ings has been their best player so far with two goals and one assist in four games. However, new signings Leon Bailey and Emiliano Buendia are yet to make a big impact which Smith would have wanted. Last season’s topscorer, Ollie Watkins is yet to find the back of the net having been injured until recently.

On the contrary, under new manager Rafa Benitez, Everton have had a flying start to the campaign. They have won three and drawn one of their first four matches and currently sit 4th in the table, equal with Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool on points, just behind on the number of goals conceded.

Everton have scored 10 goals in four matches from an xG of 6.35. They have overperformed their xG by over four goals and are in scintillating goalscoring form and have just conceded four goals in return. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and summer signing Demarai Gray have been the leading scorers in the team with three goals each. Abdoulaye Doucoure, who was signed from Watford last summer has been the best player with a goal and three assists while new signing Andros Townsend has been really impressive.

Everton has the third most shots on target in the league(24) with 17 of them inside the box which shows how precise they have been in the box.

Aston Villa have had the league average of 15 shots on target with 13 of them inside the box. It clearly tells us that Villa might have had fewer shots but they have been really clinical whenever they have entered the box. However, it has been Villa’s defence that has leaked more goals this season.

Everton and Villa both have tried to create more chances from positional attacks and are neck to neck with each other in the number of positional attacks. But if Villa wants to score without letting the defence lose they have to catch Everton back three on the counter, something which Dean Smith’s men have failed to do a lot, third lowest in the league with four.

Dean Smith would probably have both Emiliano Martinez and Emiliano Buendia back from quarantine for selection which would be a huge boost for Aston Villa. Trezeguet and Keinan Davis still remain sidelined however due to injuries.

Rafa Benitez will still be without Dominic Calvert-Lewin on their trip to Birmingham but will have almost all other players available for the match.

Aston Villa have only got points from home matches till now and this fixture remains an important one towards their journey to the top half of the table while the Toffees would certainly want to continue their winning form.

We predict a draw or a 2-1 victory for Everton.

Predicted Lineups

Aston Villa (4-4-2) – Emiliano Martinez, Matt Targett, Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa, Matty Cash, Leon Bailey, Douglas Luiz, John McGinn, Emiliano Buendia, Danny Ings, Ollie Watkins.

Everton (3-4-3) – Jordan Pickford, Michael Keane, Ben Godfrey, Yerry Mina, Lucas Digne, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Allan, Seamus Coleman, Demarai Gray, Richarlison, Andros Townsend.