Aston Villa coach Unai Emery said his team must find a way to compete away from home as it prepares to face an Everton team that will be delighted with the return of David Moyes.
Moyes guaranteed a return to team training this week and takes charge of an Everton team that desperately needs points in the English Premier League.
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 away games in the Premier League – their worst run since losing their last seven away games in 2015-16.
“Of course every match we played was difficult,” Emery said. “Playing away (was) even more difficult.
Last time he came out against the Toffees:
◉ Double from Ole ✌️
◉ Rocket from John 🚀
◉ The three points 👊 pic.twitter.com/OybZs6AxsR– Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 13, 2025
“The challenge facing us is how we can compete away from home, because the last matches we played away from home in the Premier League we did not get points and tomorrow is the challenge facing us.
“Everton has a new head coach and of course they will be very excited. I think the fans and the players will be very excited; also excited with Moyes. Before, he was a very successful coach with them, but we have to try to focus on our game and our game plan.”
Despite travel sickness, Villa go into the midweek program just four points off the top four and look well placed to challenge at the top of the table once again.
Emery suffers from injury concerns with the absence of defender Pau Torres, midfielder John McGinn and Ross Barkley.
“Barkley more or less two to three weeks,” he said. McGinn will need at least a week to be more or less close to us, train and be available to play and Pau Torres will be longer.
“He might need another six or eight weeks.”
