Aston Villa manager Unai Emery says his side must find a way to compete away from home as they prepare to face an Everton side buoyed by the return of David Moyes.
Moyes secured a return to the fold this week and takes charge of an Everton side in dire need of Premier League points.
Villa have had another exciting season under Emery – particularly in the Champions League – but their recent away form has cost them. Villa have lost their last five Premier League away games – their worst since losing their last seven away games in 2015-16.
Emery said: “Of course every game we play has been difficult. The away game (was) more difficult.
Last outing against the Toffees:
◉ A brace from Ollie ✌️
◉ A rocket from John 🚀
◉ All three points 👊 pic.twitter.com/OybZs6AxsR— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 13, 2025
“Our challenge is how we can compete away from home, because the last matches we played away in the Premier League we didn’t get points and tomorrow is our challenge.
“Everton have a new manager and of course it will be, I think with the people, the players, very motivated. excited about Moyes too. Before, he was a very successful coach there with them, but we have to try and focus on our game, our game plan.”
Despite their illness on the trip, Villa enter the midweek schedule just four points behind the top four and look well placed to again challenge for the top of the table.
Emery has injury concerns with defender Pau Torres and midfielders John McGuin and Ross Barkley missing.
He said: “Barkley is more or less two or three weeks out. McGinn will need at least a week to be more or less with us, training and available to play and Pau Torres is more.
“Maybe he needs another six or eight more weeks.”
