THE task for Everton now, of course, is to build upon that win with another against Aston Villa.
I was surprised to learn that it has been more than seven years since we won at Villa Park in the league. We are long overdue another three points there.
It will, of course, be Paul Lambert’s first home game in charge of Villa, since he left Norwich in the summer. I am sure David Moyes will be expecting his players to take advantage.
Villa Park is another fabulous ground when it is bouncing, but it can be an intimidating place sometimes, as Alex McLeish and his team will have found out last season. Everton must feed off any nerves or apprehension that is floating around.
Villa know they need a win. They lost to a controversial goal at West Ham last week – though I confess I haven’t seen too much of that game – and another defeat would ramp up the pressure on them, even at such an early stage in the season.
Everton are the opposite in many ways. A long-serving manager, a steady squad of players that have been supplemented by some good signings over the summer months. They are well placed to take full advantage of any uncertainty from the home fans, and players.
The key for me will be what kind of attacking threat Villa pose. It says plenty about their current squad that I can’t honestly think of a genuine dangerman. Darren Bent scores goals, of course, but he can’t do it if he doesn’t get the service. Beyond him, who is there for Everton to be afraid of? I can’t really see anybody, especially with Gabby Agbonlahor – a player with genuine pace – injured.
Everton just need to take what they can from Monday’s game into today’s. If they play half as well as they did against United, they will have no problems.
