Everton

Mike Richards
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Albert Einstein once said that, “insanity was doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result”. I think it’s safe to say Everton, the manager and the players are in that realm currently.

Defensively chaotic, tactically predictable and consistently rudderless are a trio of terms that accurately describe the first four games of the season.

Saturday’s capitulation at Aston Villa was yet another example of game management being nothing more than a modern day analytic term for both manager and players.

Thirteen goals conceded in four games is some turnaround for last season's fourth best Premier League defence.

Sean Dyche’s sides are historically built upon being difficult to beat, while looking to pinch a goal or two in the process. Last season was evidence of that. That defensive backbone was integral to the points total achieved last season.

When that is lost, the manager appears lost.

The centre back pairing has been a puzzle in the absence of Jarrad Branthwaite. There appears to be a reluctance to start new signing Jake O’Brien.

This isn’t just a disgruntled tirade about the manager, the players are more than capable of turning two goal head starts into at least a point.

It’s easy for them to hide behind the obvious criticism levelled at Dyche. It’s much more difficult to hold their hands up and show on-field responsibility.

Two games in quick succession this week is an opportunity to eradicate the horrors of the last two matches. Two matches to rediscover the resilience that has been lost. Potentially two matches to keep the wolves from the manager's door.

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Image source, Getty Images

Former England defender Matt Upson says there are just "moments" that have stopped Everton from picking up any points in the Premier League this season.

The Toffee's have surrendered two goal leads in consecutive matches to lose 3-2 at home to Bournemouth and at Aston Villa.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Breakfast Club, Upson said: "I feel for Sean Dyche to be honest, he’s doing a pretty good job there. He’s had some pretty good performances, but he’s just been let down with certain moments.

"Defensively, they will be disappointed with a couple and then Calvert-Lewin, I thought he looked back to his best. Late in the game, just moments where you think he’s got to make that count and it’s just not happening for Everton and it’s not because they’re not playing that well, it’s just moments that are not being taken care of that well to be honest.

"I think you have to be very tough mentally as a group, because those two things back to back, certainly at home, the previous game is a massive blow.

"To come and start playing as well as they did against Villa away and possibly should’ve took points out of the game shows you how positive it can be, but you’ve got to hang on to that.

"The clinical nature of the Premier League is everything, you have to take your chances and defend big moments and you have to keep practicing them."

Chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions following the return to Premier League football after the international break.

Chris asked: It’s never ending misery for Everton fans. How long has Dyche got? Is there actually a manager on the planet who can salvage this wretched football club?

Phil replied: Hello, Chris. Everton have made it clear Sean Dyche still has the support of the club’s hierarchy behind the scenes and at the moment it does not look as if anyone has the power or is inclined to make a managerial change even if they wanted to, that is even before you get to the financial implications of such a decision.

Dyche did a fine job last season after another terrible start but this has been worse and the manager needs to find solutions fast.

The problem will come if Everton keep losing. Dyche’s big selling point in the past was his ability to produce sides that were hard to score against, as Everton were last season. This season they have conceded 13 goals in four league games, twice losing 2-0 leads. They are soft and the continued presence of Ashley Young and Michael Keane demonstrates the paucity of resources.

Everton simply cannot afford to get relegated with the new stadium coming next season, which will focus minds, and there is a sense of inevitability that if new owners come in, they will want their own manager.

Dyche is into the final season of his contract with no indication he will be offered a new deal, which suggests change will come eventually, even if it is for the start of next season.

As for the manager who can save Everton….can I have a long think about that one?

Image source, Getty Images

Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker says Everton's performances have not mirrored their results and that is, ultimately, "the harshness of football".

"Their performances have not even been bad, so we can't say they have four defeats because they have been awful," he told the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily Podcast. "It doesn't look good to have zero points, but it easily could have been six points for them instead. That is the harshness of football."

Ex-West Ham midfielder Kevin Nolan added: "It feels like everything is going against Sean Dyche and Everton.

"The Bournemouth defeat was a real gut-wrencher and then on Saturday Jhon Duran's goal flew in. Everyone was like 'what a goal!' because it could easily be Goal of the Season already. If that had not of gone in then people would have said a point at Villa Park is a brilliant result. But this is football.

"Dyche is fighting and the club and the players are fighting to work it out too. He has a got a team that are doing that for him. Yes, it is four games and four losses but I do not see anything wrong there at the minute. It will not be long before they get that win and can push on. A couple of wins would put them back to mid-table.

"But there is no way Dyche is sat there and not thinking about the possibility of being sacked. For me, they have to keep him and they will get there."

Listen to the Football Daily Podcast on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Aston Villa and Everton.

Here are some of your comments:

Aston Villa fans

Sandra: What a goal - pure class. What more does Duran have to do to start a match? Again, very poor defending nearly allowed Everton to make it 3-3. Villa showed courage and did not panic. A good rehearsal for Tuesday's match against Young Boys.

David: The excitement of a comeback and an absolute screamer mask another game where we haven't kept a clean sheet. Would be nice for Rogers to add goals to his great performances because he has the potential to set the league alight. Solid start to the season all round though.

Ian: Terrific, exciting game - but once again Villa make it hard for themselves. We need to improve defensively because we're giving away too many chances. However, going forward we're creating plenty of chances . We could - and should - have scored half a dozen. Great to see Ollie back in the goals and what can you say about Duran's winner? Now looking forward to the Champions League game.

Everton fans

Barry: Another inept defensive display. Defensive solidity is supposedly Dyche’s hallmark - without that we are worse than useless. This has all the signs of Dyche’s final season at Burnley when he took them down. Burnley’s board left it too late - with Everton totally rudderless, will we make the same mistake?

Tommy: I will say it again - there is no need to panic yet! There are many positive aspects to the game that bode well for the future. Yes, we've squandered another 2-0 lead. We will not end up in the top six, but we will not end up in the bottom three. There are at least four or five teams worse than us. Get behind Sean and the team. We will be OK!

Richard: It's a hard watch. Great to score two goals at Villa Park, but any Evertonian worth their salt knows two is never enough these days with that defence. Yes, we could have scored more - but we didn't. As has happened so many times in the past, another worldie did for us! Deja vu - for all the wrong reasons!

American businessman John Textor wants music star Jay-Z to join his bid to buy Everton. (Sun), external

Want more transfer news and football gossip? Read Monday's full column

Gary Linker brings you highlights and analysis from Saturday's eight Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest

• Aston Villa 3-2 Everton

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Sean Dyche spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Everton's defeat against Aston Villa: "The last time out was a way more difficult experience [loss to Bournemouth].

"We have done well with the game-plan. We have absorbed, countered, and scored from a set-piece.

"The biggest thing to be honest, we have a golden chance to go 3-1 up and we don't take it. They go down to our half and we make a mistake - they capitalise on it.

"Every chance is capitalised by the opposition. At the end of the day they score a worldie, we have chance again but it hit the bar.

"Very frustrated for the players, it was not for a lack of effort.

"I have spoke endlessly about both boxes, the killer instinct in both boxes. There are very small margins and we cannot get on the right side of them at the moment.

"If we score that third goal the mood changes radically in the stadium. But, they get one and the mood changes.

"They scored a worldie to win it and we don't press as hard as we should, but they probably don't expect it.

"I didn't walk here blind I knew it was going to be a big challenge, it has been a bigger challenge than what i thought."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Aston Villa’s performance, external

What did you make of Everton’s display?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Read the match report and follow reaction

There are eight Premier League games on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you all the action and reaction throughout the day.

All time are BST

Follow live here

BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries:

• Liverpool v Nottingham Forest

• Aston Villa v Everton

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Reuters

American businessman John Textor's bid to buy Everton is being backed by a US investment firm.

Aliya Capital Partners manages more than $1bn (£760m) in assets and joined Elon Musk in his acquisition of Twitter in 2022.

On Thursday, Everton said Textor was making "progress" in his deal to buy the club but there is "some work to be done to complete the deal".

The purchase is dependent on Textor selling his 45% stake in Crystal Palace as Premier League rules prohibit individuals from owning more than one team.

In a statement to BBC Sport, Aliya Capital Partners said: "We are delighted to support John Textor in his investment in Everton Football Club.

"Having collaborated with John over many years, and witnessed close hand his immensely successful venture with Botafogo, we view him not only as a partner but as a close friend.

"Our involvement in Everton reflects our shared commitment to innovation and transformation in football. We eagerly anticipate Everton's ascent under John's visionary leadership."

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week four, he takes on Femi Koleoso and Ife Ogunjobi from jazz band Ezra Collective, the 2023 Mercury Music Prize winners.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Everton boss Sean Dyche is under the pump after their capitulation against Bournemouth last time out. It feels like some of their fans have turned against Dyche now, which I think is ridiculous, but he does need a result and unfortunately for him Villa Park is not a place I see Everton getting anything.

The Toffees got hammered 4-0 there last season and, although they will put up a fight, they are not going to get a result on this occasion either.

How many goals Villa get might depend on whether Ollie Watkins is fit. He's in my Fantasy team, which is bad news for him anyway, but he is an injury doubt after pulling out of the England squad.

Koleoso's prediction: 2-0

Leon Bailey to score, and Villa to win.

Ogunjobi prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

Phil Jagielka hopes his former side Everton can secure their first Premier League points of the season in Saturday's tricky looking trip to Villa Park.

The Toffees are winless in their opening three matches and suffered an agonising home defeat by Bournemouth in their last outing before the international break, having been 2-0 up with four minutes of normal time to play.

"It was a tough watch," Jagielka told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"I thought they played well for the majority of the Bournemouth game but it is the way the Premier League is.

Then we talk about having the international break, they've had to stew on that for 10, 12 days. But, I'm sure Sean [Dyche] has been getting them in and getting some sort of gameplan for the game at Aston Villa.

"The pressure will be on Villa as well, they are a team now who want to establish themselves in that top four to top six. They will be expected to beat Everton so hopefully Everton go there and put in a good performance and get some points.

"They can get their season started."

Listen to the full chat from 2:21:00 on BBC Sounds

Ben Collins
BBC Sport journalist

Everton boss Sean Dyche has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at Aston Villa (kick-off 17:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On the club statement about prospective owner John Textor: "If you're a prospective owner, you're going to ask certain questions, finding out about what you're going to buy and to get a feel."

• On Textor saying he wants to speak to Dyche about what kind of players he wants to coach: "I haven't had the chance [to speak yet]. I don't think the deal's reached that position. If you're a prospective owner, you probably would want to build a relationship, or certainly know the manager's thoughts. He isn't the current owner but if he did take over I'm sure you'd have that conversation [about players]. I think that's standard practice."

• On how he deals with those discussions: "Over my years as a manager, I've dealt with many situations, many different players and many different playing styles. I've tried to adapt to whatever challenge I've had with the group of players I've been given."

• On whether there's any uncertainty over his future: "The bigger picture of the club is the main focus. The club is still nowhere near where it wants to be. We want to win games - that's my first thought. It's not about myself or contracts. It's about my staff and the players aligning to win games."

• On his position beyond this season: "The ambition here changes weekly. It's been an up-and-down period, for the club not just for me. We've brought some level of calmness but at the minute it's a volatile situation on and off the pitch, with talk of ownership change and, on the pitch, not getting the results we want."

• On new loan signings Armando Broja and Orel Mangala: "Armando's got an injury so that'll take a bit of time. Orel's come in today, been bright and breezy, and wants to be part of the group. We'll assess it as we go on."

• On Seamus Coleman's apparent injury playing for the Republic of Ireland: "Seamus is touch and go but we'll see how he recovers from that."

• On Jarrad Branthwaite and Nathan Patterson fitness: "Jarrad is just [training] on the grass now so he's at the beginning of the process and Patto's the same. They're starting to train with us every day."

• On opponents Aston Villa: "The manager [Unai Emery] has done a tremendous job. They've invested, but invested well, which is not easy. They're a good outfit and they're learning with the more games that come round."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Full commentary of Aston Villa v Everton from 17:30 on BBC Radio 5 Live

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Everton have released an update on the status of the club's ownership in the wake of comments by businessman John Textor.

The American, who already holds a 45% stake in Crystal Palace, was granted a period of exclusivity last month by current owner Farhad Moshiri to discuss purchasing a majority stake.

On Wednesday, Textor spoke publicly about his plans for Everton in an in-depth interview with Sky, external, saying the opportunity to buy the club was "like someone asking you if you want to be President of the United States".

The Blues have recognised Textor's words but have responded by saying any deal is still a way off.

"The club is aware of the comments made by John Textor in relation to a potential purchase of the club," the statement said, external.

"While positive conversations and progress continues to be made with Mr Textor to formalise any deal with him, there remains some work to be done to complete the transaction.

"Accordingly, the comments made by Mr Textor merely represent his personal view on club matters.

"Everyone at the Club is staying focused on providing the best support possible to Sean and the squad as we head into the weekend’s fixture.

"The club will provide updates in respect of new investment when there is material news to communicate to supporters and other stakeholders – and this will be done through official club channels."

Image source, Getty Images

Since their return to the top flight in 2019, Aston Villa are unbeaten in their 10 league meetings with Everton (W7 D3), keeping seven clean sheets and conceding just three goals in that run.

The Blues have lost four of their past five Premier League games at Villa Park, though they did win three of their previous four visits before that.

American businessman John Textor is confident a deal to buy Everton could be completed in four weeks. (Guardian), external

Want more gossip and transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full column

Mike Richards
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Every Evertonian will have winced when Seamus Coleman stayed down following a collision with Harry Maguire at Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Our captain, at the age of 35, is still the club’s first choice right-back and there lies the problem. But there is no player more loved and respected at our club than the man from Killybegs.

Our "60 grand" bargain buy has epitomised what it means to be an Evertonian since arriving in 2009. Fearless, selfless and proud, he has been - and continues to be - an on-pitch representative of those sitting in the stands.

I could quite easily write thousands of words about what he means to Everton but it would never truly do the man justice.

For someone who has given everything to the club, there is an argument to be made that the club he has served so well has let him down.

His legacy is in danger of becoming tarnished due to transfer market mistakes and poor recruitment strategy.

For instance, Nathan Patterson was brought in under an outgoing Rafael Benitez with one eye on replacing Coleman. However, injuries, lack of form and a failure to impress have impeded any notion of him becoming our starting right-back.

If anyone deserves to sail into the sunset after a fantastic career - in which he was one half of one of the best full-back partnerships in Premier League history - it is Seamus Coleman.

A player who needs saving from himself, at a time when there is no able deputy.

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