Aston Villa v Everton Tips: Best bets as the Toffees travel to Villa Park

Live on Sky Sports, Aston Villa Welcome Everton to Villa Park on Thursday evening. This is the second league meeting between the sides in just 12 days – a late strike from Anwar El-Ghazi secured a 2-1 victory for Dean Smith’s men at Goodison Park last time out.

A win here for the Toffees would be huge in their quest for European football next season and would make it 3 wins on the bounce away from home. Following on from the impressive win at Goodison, Villa were beaten 3-1 at home against Man United despite taking an early 1-0 lead. This sees them currently sat 11th in the league but a win here would certainly boost their chances of finishing in the top half.

Team news

Abdoulaye Doucoure returned to the Everton squad in Sundays 1-0 win over West Ham but didn't feature after a long time out of action. James Rodriguez is a doubt here along with fellow Columbian Yerry Mina.

Fast turnaround in matches could result in some changes for the home side here. Star man Jack Grealish is back in contention but a start might be a step too far.

Main striker Ollie Watkins picked up an unnecessary red card late on vs Man United meaning he misses this match through suspension. It'll be interesting to see who Dean Smith opts for to lead the line here.

This bet is effectively an Everton Draw no bet just at slightly better odds, meaning stakes return if the game ends all square and a win if Everton pick up all 3 points.

Given the fact Grealish is a doubt to start and Villa will be without Olie Watkins, I am more than happy to get the Toffees on side. Everton have impressed me in recent weeks away from home and I fancy them to at least avoid defeat here.

Stubborn Back-to-back 1-0 wins away from Goodison vs Arsenal and West Ham have kept European hopes alive and they face a Villa side struggling on home soil. Villa have only picked up 1 win in their last 7 home games and that came against Fulham. Everton also hold the 4th best away record in the league this campaign and have only conceded 15 goals in the process.

Considering the injuries Villa have, this resilient Everton side could be a tough nut to crack meaning I am more than happy backing Ancelotti's men, with the insurance of it ending a draw.

Despite losing 3-1 in their last outing, a player that really impressed me vs United was Villa winger Bertrand Traore. Not only did he score with a sublime finish, he also managed 3 shots on target.

Traore has a season average of 1.6 shots per game, but in recent weeks he has smashed these averages. He has had 10 total shots in his last 3 games managing 2 on target in both of his last two. The tricky winger could be the main threat for Villa heading into this clash given the options Dean Smith has available.

Therefore, I am more than happy to back him to manage this feat for the 3rd game on the bounce at a value price of 9/2.

For my longshot I will be combining 3 selections using Bet365’s bet builder feature to create an 18/1 poke.

All reasons already mentioned I am happy to get Everton on side here but have gone one better for the longshot.

Tom Davies was lucky to escape without a yellow on Sunday vs West Ham after 2 cynical fouls, and if he is to start again here, I can see him getting booked. Ancelotti opted for a 4-4-2 last game which increased the defensive responsibilities on the two CM’s.

He has been in and out of the team this season but did pick up 8 cards in 30 league appearances in the 19/20 campaign, showing he is not unfamiliar with getting his name taken. I have also chucked in under 4 goals to bumper our longshot - all of Everton’s last 8 league away wins have seen under 4 goals and I fancy that to cop once again