Aston Villa - Everton is a tasty clash on Thursday (start time 1pm ET on NBCSN and online via NBCSports.com) as the Toffees try and keep themselves in the hunt for European qualification.
STREAM ASTON VILLA - EVERTON LIVE
Villa have missed Jack Grealish badly in recent weeks, as they have won just two of their last 10 games. But one of those wins did come away at Everton just 10 days ago. Anwar El Ghazi was the hero for Villa on that occasion and Dean Smith will be keen for their season to finish with a flourish as they aim to seal a top 10 finish.
As for Everton, Carlo Ancelotti’s men are still in the top four battle and this is their game in-hand. If they win at Villa they will be just three points behind fourth-place Leicester and will have a game in-hand on the Foxes. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was the hero last time out as they won at West Ham and Ancelotti has said all season long that European qualification is the aim. Everton would gladly take a Europa League spot but maybe, just maybe, they can sneak into the top four.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Aston Villa - Everton.
[ MORE: How to watch PL in the USA ]
Team and injury news
Aston Villa are without the injured duo of Morgan Sanson and Trezeguet, while Ollie Watkins is suspended after being sent off in the defeat to Manchester United. Jack Grealish returns on the bench after a lengthy spell out.
🟣 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🟣
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 13, 2021
This is how we line up to face Everton tonight…#AVLEVE pic.twitter.com/zxV5pVv6eL
Everton are without Jean-Philippe Gbamin who has picked up a knee injury, as his rotten luck with injuries continues. Yerry Mina and James Rodriguez are both out.
🚨 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦! 🚨@abdoudoucoure16 starts as Carlo makes two changes for #AVLEVE.
— Everton (@Everton) May 13, 2021
COME ON YOU BLUES! 👊 pic.twitter.com/P6l7xE7RLw
Odds and ends (full odds provided by our partner, PointsBet)
Aston Villa are the slight underdogs at +165, with Everton favored at +155. The draw is at +235.
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Prediction
This will be a tight, tense clash but given the fact that Villa will be missing Watkins and Grealish, plus Everton have improved defensively, go for a narrow Everton win here. Aston Villa 1-2 Everton.
How to watch, stream and start time
Kick off: Thursday, 1pm ET
TV Channel: NBCSN
Online: Stream via NBCSports.com