Aston Villa and Everton meet in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon as Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard square off for the first time in their managerial careers.
Both clubs started the campaign with a defeat, Villa going down 2-0 at Bournemouth before Everton succumbed to a 1-0 scoreline against Chelsea.
Match preview
© Reuters
Throughout their esteemed playing careers, Gerrard squared off on 34 occasions, Lampard getting the better of his England teammate with 16 wins compared to 11 for Gerrard.
However, the slate has been wiped clean ahead of this contest, both managers under pressure to deliver at their respective clubs after being provided with freedom in the transfer market to make the necessary alterations to their squads.
From Gerrard's perspective, he would have been delighted to get Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos through the door soon after the end of last season, while securing the services of Philippe Coutinho on a permanent basis was another coup for the West Midlands outfit.
Nevertheless, the trio were powerless to prevent Villa losing out 2-0 to newly-promoted Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, the goals coming at either end of the game.
At a time when there also appears to be issues between Gerrard and former captain Tyrone Mings behind the scenes, this feels like a fixture where Villa need to perform to prevent further criticism heading in the way of their head coach.
© Reuters
As it stands, everything feels far more positive at Goodison Park, even with Everton having only narrowly avoided relegation last season and started this one with a defeat.
The Toffees missed the presence of a recognised forward against Chelsea and that situation is only improved this week by the return from suspension of backup striker Salomon Rondon.
However, Lampard could be relatively satisfied with his team's performance against his former side, Everton only losing out to a Jorginho penalty in a game where they suffered two injuries to their defenders.
Since that setback, Conor Coady and Amadou Onana have arrived from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Lille respectively, the duo bringing their own expectation through experience and potential.
While it may be asking too much for the pair to be overly influential on Saturday after signing on Monday and Tuesday respectively, Lampard needs all of his team to step up in a highly-anticipated encounter.
- L
- L
Team News
© Reuters
With Yerry Mina and Ben Godfrey facing lengthy spells on the sidelines, Coady will be handed an immediate debut in the centre of the Everton back three.
Mason Holgate should also come into the team, but Onana may have to make do with a spot among the replacements with Alex Iwobi retaining his place in midfield.
Rondon could get an opportunity in the final third with Demarai Gray most likely to drop down to the substitutes' bench.
Gerrard will consider making a number of alterations to his Villa side with Ollie Watkins potentially getting the nod over Danny Ings.
Emiliano Buendia may be preferred to Leon Bailey, while Douglas Luiz is pushing for a recall in midfield.
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Carlos, Digne; McGinn, Kamara, Ramsey; Buendia, Watkins, Coutinho
Everton possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Holgate, Coady, Tarkowski; Patterson, Doucoure, Iwobi, Mykolenko; Gordon, Rondon, McNeil
We say: Aston Villa 1-1 Everton
Even at this early stage of the season, the pressure is on both teams to kick-start their respective campaigns, as well as the two managers to gain an edge over the other. However, we can see a tense clash playing out at Villa Park, one which may end in a low-scoring share of the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
