Aston Villa vs Everton Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, Sunday, 18 January

Aston Villa will host Everton at Villa Park this Sunday, 18 January, in what promises to be an intriguing Premier League clash. Both teams are looking to make a statement as they vie for crucial points in the league standings. Aston Villa, playing on their home turf, will be eager to leverage their familiarity with Villa Park to gain an advantage over their visitors.

Everton, meanwhile, will aim to disrupt Villa’s plans and secure a valuable away victory. As both teams have shown flashes of brilliance this season, this matchup could be pivotal in shaping their respective campaigns. With the Premier League’s competitive nature, every point counts, making this encounter a must-watch for fans and bettors alike. These betting tips will break down the key factors that could influence the outcome of this exciting fixture.

Aston Villa vs Everton Prediction & Betting Tip

Betting Tip	Odds
Everton to win	5.14

Based on current form and statistics, backing Everton to win away at Aston Villa looks like a smart bet. Villa’s inconsistency at home, paired with Everton’s disciplined and compact defensive structure, gives the edge to the visitors.

• Aston Villa concede an average of 1.1 goals per game, indicating their vulnerability at the back.
• Everton’s ability to exploit spaces and counter-attack effectively can trouble Villa’s defence.
• Aston Villa have scored in only 71% of their matches, suggesting they may struggle to break down Everton’s organised defence.

Betting Odds

Aston Villa are stepping onto the pitch at Villa Park as the clear favourites, with betting odds reflecting their strong home form. Everton, on the other hand, are seen as underdogs, but their odds might tempt those looking for a riskier punt.

Betting Tip	Odds
Aston Villa to win	1.67
Draw	3.82
Everton to win	5.14

The draw is also an intriguing option, offering decent returns for those who believe in a closely contested match. With both teams having their own strengths, the markets for both teams to score and over 2.5 goals are worth a look.

Aston Villa Analysis & Past Performance

Aston Villa’s recent form has been impressive, securing three wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five outings. This includes a notable 2-1 victory against Tottenham in the FA Cup and a solid 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest. However, they were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace, showcasing occasional struggles in breaking down organised defences.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Tottenham	Aston Villa	1 – 2 (Win)	FA Cup	10 Jan 2026
Crystal Palace	Aston Villa	0 – 0 (Draw)	Premier League	7 Jan 2026
Aston Villa	Nottingham Forest	3 – 1 (Win)	Premier League	3 Jan 2026
Arsenal	Aston Villa	4 – 1 (Loss)	Premier League	30 Dec 2025
Chelsea	Aston Villa	1 – 2 (Win)	Premier League	27 Dec 2025

Recent Form:

• WDWLW

Aston Villa have been prolific in front of goal, with an average of 1.60 goals scored per match in their last five fixtures. They have also maintained a perfect home record with five consecutive victories, highlighting their dominance at Villa Park. Defensively, they have conceded an average of 1.40 goals per game over this period, with only one clean sheet, suggesting room for improvement in defensive solidity. Their ability to find the net in 80% of their recent matches underscores a strong attacking unit led by Ollie Watkins, who has netted seven goals this season.

Aston Villa Suspensions & Injuries

Aston Villa face some challenges with key players Ross Barkley and Amadou Onana sidelined due to injuries. Barkley’s knee injury rules him out until early February, depriving the team of his creative spark in midfield. Onana’s hamstring issue, with a return anticipated by late January, further limits Villa’s options in the centre of the park. The absence of these midfielders might push Unai Emery to rely more on the likes of Lamare Bogarde and Youri Tielemans to fill the void, although neither possesses the same attacking flair as Barkley.

Boubacar Kamara’s knee injury, leaving him doubtful, adds to Villa’s woes, potentially weakening their defensive midfield capabilities. His absence would mean a reshuffle in the midfield, potentially seeing John McGinn take on more defensive responsibilities. This adjustment could affect Villa’s balance between defence and attack, as McGinn’s forward runs are a crucial part of their offensive play.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Ross Barkley	Knee injury	Early February 2026
Amadou Onana	Hamstring injury	Late January 2026
Louie Barry	Knee injury	Early February 2026
Boubacar Kamara	Knee injury	Doubtful
Emiliano Martínez	Calf injury	Doubtful

The tactical impact of these injuries could see Aston Villa adopt a more conservative approach, especially if Kamara is unavailable. The team may opt for a double pivot of Tielemans and Bogarde to shield the defence, while Jadon Sancho and Morgan Rogers provide width and creativity. This setup might influence betting markets, as Aston Villa’s reduced midfield depth could affect their ability to control the game against Everton, potentially skewing odds towards a more evenly matched contest.

Aston Villa Key Players

Aston Villa’s attacking prowess will heavily rely on their top scorer Ollie Watkins, who has already netted seven goals this season. Watkins leads the line with his remarkable pace and clinical finishing, making him a constant threat to defences. His ability to find space and capitalise on chances will be critical against Everton’s backline. Complementing Watkins in the attacking phase is Jadon Sancho, whose creativity and dribbling skills provide an additional layer of offensive threat. Sancho’s ability to cut inside and deliver precise crosses could unlock Everton’s defence, providing Watkins with scoring opportunities.

In midfield, Youri Tielemans plays a pivotal role as a playmaker, orchestrating the game with his passing range and vision. His partnership with John McGinn, known for his tenacity and box-to-box capability, ensures Villa can dominate the midfield battle. Defensively, Victor Lindelöf’s experience and composure at the back are vital for maintaining solidity and organising the backline. His ability to read the game and intercept passes will be crucial in thwarting Everton’s attacking plays.

Expected lineup for Aston Villa

• Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martínez
• Defence: Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Victor Lindelöf, Lucas Digne
• Midfield: Lamare Bogarde, Youri Tielemans, Jadon Sancho, John McGinn, Morgan Rogers
• Forward: Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa Tactics and Formation

Aston Villa Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Ollie Watkins
• Midfield Pivot: Lamare Bogarde and Youri Tielemans
• Defensive Strength: Consistent home performance with five consecutive wins at Villa Park
• Notable Strategy: High pressing and dynamic wing play.

Aston Villa, under Unai Emery, utilise a 4-2-3-1 formation that provides a balance between attack and defence. The midfield pairing of Lamare Bogarde and Youri Tielemans is crucial in maintaining possession and transitioning the play. This setup offers defensive stability while allowing Jadon Sancho and Morgan Rogers to exploit spaces on the wings.

Defensively, the inclusion of Victor Lindelöf alongside Ezri Konsa adds experience to the backline, complemented by full-backs Matty Cash and Lucas Digne, who provide width and support in attacks. Emiliano Martínez, in goal, remains a key figure with his shot-stopping ability, contributing to the team’s solid home record.

Offensively, Villa rely on Ollie Watkins to spearhead attacks, with John McGinn providing creativity and drive from midfield. Their high pressing and dynamic wing play have been effective, particularly at Villa Park, where they have maintained a perfect home record in recent games.

Everton Analysis & Past Performance

Everton’s recent form has been mixed, with one win, two draws, and two losses in their last five matches. Particularly notable was their impressive 2-0 away victory over Nottingham Forest, showcasing their potential on the road. However, a home defeat to Brentford (2-4) highlighted defensive vulnerabilities that have been a recurring issue this season.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Everton	Sunderland	N/A	FA Cup	10 Jan 2026
Everton	Wolverhampton	1 – 1 (Draw)	Premier League	7 Jan 2026
Everton	Brentford	2 – 4 (Loss)	Premier League	4 Jan 2026
Nottingham Forest	Everton	0 – 2 (Win)	Premier League	30 Dec 2025
Burnley	Everton	0 – 0 (Draw)	Premier League	27 Dec 2025

Recent Form:

• LDLWD

Over the last five games, Everton have averaged 1.20 goals per match while conceding 1.80, underlining a concerning defensive record. Despite scoring in four out of these five encounters, they have struggled to maintain clean sheets, achieving just two. Their away form is a bright spot, with a win ratio of 60% in their last five away games, reflecting their potential to perform under pressure outside Goodison Park. Everton currently sit 12th in the Premier League, with 29 points, and will aim to improve their league standing through greater defensive discipline and consistent scoring.

Everton Suspensions & Injuries

Everton face several challenges ahead of their match against Aston Villa, with key players unavailable due to injuries and suspensions. The absence of Michael Keane due to a red card suspension will be particularly felt in defence. His leadership and experience are crucial for maintaining stability at the back. Everton will need to rely on Elijah Campbell to fill this void, who, while promising, lacks Keane’s experience. This could lead to a more cautious defensive approach from manager David Moyes.

Player	Ban	Matches Remaining	Expected Return
Idrissa Gueye	International duty	1	Unknown
Iliman Ndiaye	International duty	1	Unknown
Michael Keane	Sent off	2	Unknown

On the injury front, Everton’s concerns are compounded by the doubtful statuses of Jarrad Branthwaite and Seamus Coleman, both suffering from hamstring injuries. These injuries may force Everton to lean heavily on their current defensive lineup, maintaining a 4-3-3 formation. The midfield could also see adjustments with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s and Tim Iroegbunam’s potential absences, requiring Merlin Röhl and James Garner to step up their game. This could affect Everton’s midfield dynamics and their ability to maintain possession.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Jarrad Branthwaite	Hamstring Injury	Doubtful
Seamus Coleman	Hamstring Injury	Doubtful
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall	Hamstring Injury	Doubtful
Carlos Alcaraz	Muscle Injury	Doubtful
Tim Iroegbunam	Knock Injury	Doubtful

With Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye also suspended due to national team commitments, Everton’s squad depth is significantly tested. This scenario might influence the betting markets, as the team’s recent form without these players could sway predictions. Everton’s tactical flexibility will be critical in overcoming these hurdles and maintaining competitive performance on the pitch.

Everton Key Players

In the upcoming clash against Aston Villa, Everton will rely heavily on their attacking prowess, spearheaded by Jack Grealish. As a forward, Grealish’s ability to dribble and create chances is paramount to Everton’s offensive strategy. His partnership with Dwight McNeil on the wing provides a dynamic threat capable of unsettling any defence. McNeil’s crossing ability complements Grealish’s attacking instincts, creating multiple scoring opportunities.

In midfield, James Garner’s role as a playmaker will be crucial. Garner’s vision and passing range are expected to control the tempo and supply the forwards with precise deliveries. Alongside him, Merlin Röhl will need to balance defensive duties with supporting attacks, ensuring Everton maintain structure and creativity.

Expected lineup for Everton:

• Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
• Defence: Jake O’Brien, James Tarkowski, Elijah Campbell, Vitaliy Mykolenko
• Midfield: Harrison Armstrong, Merlin Röhl, James Garner
• Forward: Dwight McNeil, Thierno Barry, Jack Grealish

Defensively, James Tarkowski is expected to lead the backline with his commanding presence and aerial ability. Alongside Jake O’Brien, his responsibility will be to thwart Aston Villa’s attackers and maintain a solid defensive shape. Jordan Pickford, the goalkeeper, provides assurance with his shot-stopping skills and leadership at the back, which will be vital in keeping a clean sheet.

Everton Tactics and Formation

Everton Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-3-3
• Key Forward: Dwight McNeil
• Midfield Engine: Merlin Röhl and James Garner
• Defensive Strength: James Tarkowski’s leadership
• Notable Strategy: Focus on wide play and counter-attacks.

Everton’s 4-3-3 formation is designed to exploit width and pace, with Dwight McNeil and Jack Grealish on the flanks supporting Thierno Barry in attack. This setup aims to stretch opposition defences, creating spaces for the midfield trio of Harrison Armstrong, Merlin Röhl, and James Garner to exploit.

Defensively, the absence of Seamus Coleman and Jarrad Branthwaite necessitates reliance on James Tarkowski’s leadership. The backline, consisting of Jake O’Brien, Elijah Campbell, and Vitaliy Mykolenko, must remain compact to prevent vulnerabilities against Aston Villa’s attacking threats.

Offensively, Everton focus on quick transitions, leveraging McNeil’s pace and Grealish’s creativity. However, their recent performance, including a 1-4 defeat against Sunderland, highlights the need for tactical adjustments to improve defensive stability and maintain clean sheets.

Aston Villa vs Everton Head-to-Head Record

Aston Villa and Everton have faced off 48 times in total, with Villa winning 19 matches, Everton taking 13 victories, and 16 ending in draws. Their last encounter was a goalless draw at Goodison Park in September 2025, as part of Premier League action.

The last time Aston Villa hosted Everton at Villa Park was in September 2024, where Villa edged out a 3-2 win in a thrilling Premier League match. Historically, Villa have been slightly more successful at home, which could give them confidence going into this fixture.

Home Side	Away Side	Score	League	Date
Everton	Aston Villa	0 – 0	Premier League	2025-09-13
Everton	Aston Villa	0 – 1	Premier League	2025-01-15
Aston Villa	Everton	3 – 2	Premier League	2024-09-14
Everton	Aston Villa	0 – 0	Premier League	2024-01-14
Aston Villa	Everton	1 – 2	EFL Cup	2023-09-27