Everton vs. Aston Villa – English Premier League, May 1, 2021

Everton sits just a point behind Spurs and five behind Chelsea in fourth. They will feel as though its season is far from over as it gets ready to welcome Aston Villa to Goodison Park on Saturday.

The Toffees have a game in hand on all the clubs above them and could shake up the race for European qualification with a win this weekend.

Everton is the odds-on favorite with BetOnline to win this EPL clash on Saturday.

Given that Villa will be without Jack Grealish once again, the pricing is far from a surprise. Dean Smith’s side has won just 10 of the 30 points on offer without its talismanic captain.

There was more than a slice of luck with Everton’s win against Arsenal at the weekend. Firstly, Carlo Ancelotti’s side was saved from facing a penalty after VAR stepped in to controversially overrule the referee’s initial decision. Then Richarlison’s innocuous-looking cross-shot squirmed through Bernd Leno’s grasp to give the Toffees all three points.

Up until those pivotal moments, it had looked like a remarkably evenly balanced game.

Ancelotti may have Michael Keane back to bolster the defense this weekend, so a second consecutive win is possible.

Since the end of February, Villa has won only won once but could be buoyed by the late equalizer that salvaged a point from the West Midlands derby against West Brom on Sunday. Dean Smith’s side had to deal with a Baggies team with nothing to lose and almost became another victim before Keinan Davis popped up to score his first goal deep into stoppage time.

The continued absence of playmaker Jack Grealish has been the main reason for Villa’s middling performances and results over the last few months. But the season should probably still be regarded as a success after the relegation battle of last year. There is no danger of the drop this season, and a comfortable mid-table finish could be used as a springboard for greater success.

Although the odds are not particularly attractive, the home win seems the more likely outcome here. Ross Barkley was given another chance to step in for Grealish last week, but Villa still found it difficult to break down a stubborn opponent.

Everton will have more in the way of attacking prowess as well, so they should be able to keep all three points in Merseyside this weekend.