Aston Villa v Everton: Premier League – live!

5 min The resulting corner, taken by Townsend, is headed over by Rondon ahead of the near post. A half chance at best.

4 min Rondon almost scores within four minutes of his full debut! He received Godfrey’s low cross at the near post, pushing it around Tuanzebe with his first touch, and was about to shoot when Tuanzebe stuck out a leg to poke the ball behind for a corner.

2 min Everton are in their new third strip, which I suspect – no euphemism – is a bit of a grower. I already like it a lot more than I did when I first saw it half an hour ago.

1 min Peep peep! Villa kick off from left to right. It looks like a back four for Everton, with Iwobi on the left and Gray behind Rondon.

Here’s Jamie Jackson’s report on an eventful goalless draw at the Etihad

Rafa Benitez confirms Richarlison’s knee-knack is a result of that Tarkowski tackle. He doesn’t say how long he might be out for, though the lads on Twitter reckon it’ll be a few weeks.

Sky are also suggesting Everton will play 4-2-3-1, with Demarai Gray as the No10. We’ll soon find out.

The Premier League results so far

• Wolves 0-2 Brentford
• Liverpool 3-0 Crystal Palace
• Manchester City 0(NIL)-0 Southampton
• Norwich 1-3 Watford
• Burnley 0-1 Arsenal

“I can’t really make out what formation Everton will deploy today,” says Matt Burtz. “Iwobi isn’t a natural wing-back but filled that role capably against Huddersfield in the League Cup. Richarlison’s absence is notable, but with leading goalscorer Demarai Gray in the lineup, hopefully he can plug that gap. I look forward to seeing Salomon Rondon’s first start, and should fresh scoring legs be needed off the bench, perhaps 20-year-old Ellis Simms’ first appearance is in the cards? This will be a tough one today.”

The club’s Twitter feed suggests 4-2-3-1, though I’ve noticed a growing trend for tactical misinformation on official club feeds when posting team news. Marginal gains.

There’s a bit of speculation that Richarlison is out because of that tackle by James Tarkowski on Monday night. I’m sure we’ll find out after the game.

The future’s yours but the past was mine

There was only one live game a week in 1989, so this was a huge deal – the day Villa bulldozed their way into the title race and David Platt became a household name.

Villa make one change from the team that was eventually well beaten at Stamford Bridge last weekend, with Emi Martinez replacing Jed Steer in goal.

There are three enforced changes for Everton, who beat Burnley 3-1 on Monday night. Jordan Pickford, Seamus Coleman and Richarlison are all unavailable; Asmir Begovic, Alex Iwobi and Salomon Rondon start, Rondon for the first time since joining the club. Everton only have eight players on the bench.

Aston Villa (3-5-2) Martinez; Konsa, Tuanzebe, Mings; Cash, McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Ramsey, Targett; Ings, Watkins.
Substitutes: Steer, Hause, Young, Nakamba, Buendia, El Ghazi, Bailey, Traore, Archer.

Everton (possible 4-2-3-1) Begovic; Godfrey, Mina, Keane, Digne; Doucoure, Allan; Townsend, Gray, Iwobi; Rondon.
Substitutes: Lonergan, Kenny, Holgate, Gomes, Gordon, Davies, Branthwaite, Simms.

Hello and welcome to live coverage of the oldest fixture in town. Aston Villa v Everton has been played more than any other game in English football, going back to 1888, and this is their 207th league meeting. That reflects their status as two of England’s grandest clubs; indeed, only Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal have won more titles.

Love that stat while you can, because it’s likely to turn cold and stiff in the next few years. Villa and Everton trapped below the glass ceiling for most of the Premier League era, but they are at least moving in the right direction. Dean Smith needed only two years to take Villa from mid-table in the Championship to mid-table in the Premier League, and has since spent the Jack Grealish money wisely, while Everton have started attracting Champions League-winning managers.

They looked good at times under Carlo Ancelotti, and his replacement Rafa Benitez has had a near perfect start. A win today would put them joint top of the Premier League with Liverpool*.

Kick off 5.30pm.

* Assuming Liverpool beat Crystal Palace. They are 1-0 up with 15 minutes left.