Everton 0 - 0 FT Aston Villa

Everton's Wastefulness Compounds Villa's Misery in Goalless Stalemate

Skip It Futmetrix Score: 21/100. A match defined by profligacy and defensive solidity—27 shots yielded nothing but frustration.

When Chances Evaporate

Goodison Park became a shooting gallery on Saturday, yet neither team could breach the net. Everton dominated the narrative with 20 attempts—14 from inside the box—but found only three on target. James Garner orchestrated the home side's attacking intent with four key passes, while Jack Grealish added five, yet both orchestration and execution remained fatally disconnected.

The Intensity here was a mirage. Twenty-seven combined shots masked a deeper truth: neither side created genuine danger. Aston Villa's expected goals of 0.54 told the real story—a team in freefall, managing just one shot on target across 90 minutes. Everton's 2.08 xG suggested dominance, yet they squandered the Balance of the match through profligacy.

Set-piece pressure defined the early phases. Thirteen corners combined—ten for Everton—created a relentless siege mentality, but Tyrone Mings and Villa's rearguard held firm. The defender's 7.9 rating matched Garner's, a testament to defensive excellence in a match starved of finishing quality.

The Stakes were suffocating. Villa sit 19th with two points from four games, their 0-4 goal differential a scarlet warning. This was a must-not-lose moment; instead, they collected another draw and sank deeper into crisis. Everton, perched sixth with seven points, couldn't capitalize on a wounded opponent. Possession (48%-52% in Villa's favor) proved irrelevant when neither side could convert.

Six yellow cards reflected the desperation—both teams chasing ghosts. No red mist, no VAR drama, no late heroics. Just relentless mediocrity wrapped in competitive intensity that never translated to consequence. Everton's pass accuracy of 82% meant nothing. Villa's defensive discipline couldn't mask their attacking bankruptcy.

This was football stripped of narrative. A match where effort substituted for execution, where volume replaced incision. For neutrals seeking drama, entertainment, or even competent finishing, Goodison Park offered nothing but the hollow echo of missed opportunities.

Survival Stakes Ignite at the stadium

Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 37/100. This September 13th clash carries a weight far heavier than a typical early-season fixture as both clubs fight to distance themselves from the bottom three.

The Setup

While the season is young, the narrative surrounding this encounter at the stadium is already one of a relegation battle. Everton enter the match seeking to capitalise on their superior league standing, currently sitting 14th, while Aston Villa find themselves in the precarious position of 19th. Despite the discrepancy in positions, the competitive Balance remains delicate. The Toffees have relied on defensive grit, bolstered by Jordan Pickford, who has already proven his worth with a crucial penalty save this term. For the visitors, the Stakes couldn't be higher; a failure to secure points here could see them adrift in the early standings. Both squads boast high-level Stars, but the question remains which unit can handle the pressure of a genuine six-pointer this early in the campaign.

Key Battle

The focal point of the match rests on the creative vision of Jack Grealish against the shot-stopping prowess of Emiliano Martínez. Grealish has been the primary architect for the home side, already recording four assists in just three matches. His ability to thread passes into the final third will directly challenge Martínez, whose 7.5 average rating reflects a goalkeeper currently keeping a struggling Villa side within touching distance of their opponents. This individual duel will likely decide if Everton can break the deadlock or if Martínez can inspire a defensive masterclass.

Our Prediction

The match is expected to be a cagey affair dominated by midfield duels. However, Everton's superior Form and the attacking efficiency of their key playmakers should see them through. We expect the home side to exploit Villa’s defensive transition, with a breakthrough coming late in the first half. A second goal on the counter-attack will seal a 2-0 victory for the Toffees, leaving the visitors in deep trouble at the foot of the table.