Premier League preview: Everton v Aston Villa

Two of this season’s underachievers meet when Everton welcome Aston Villa to Goodison Park on Saturday.

Heading into the 2010-11 campaign, both Everton and Villa were considered realistic contenders for European football, but things have not worked out as they would have hoped.Villa had, in fact, already secured a Europa League play-off berth with their sixth-place finish last term, but after Martin O’Neill’s walkout on the eve of the season, they slumped to a 4-3 aggregate loss to Rapid Vienna in August to dash their hopes of an extended European run.Everton finished in eighth place in 2009-10, just outside the European spots, but after failing to register their first English Premier League win until October, David Moyes’ men never really got going this season and find themselves in eighth place, nine points behind fifth-placed Spurs.The situation is far worse for Villa boss Gerard Houllier, who was brought in to replace O’Neill in September. With just one win from their past six league games, Villa are in 14th place, just one point clear of the relegation zone.In their most recent league game they slumped to a 1-0 loss at home to fellow relegation contenders and Midlands rivals Wolves, prompting some supporters to voice their displeasure with Houllier after the final whistle.The Frenchman has almost a full squad to choose from heading into Saturday’s match, with defenders Richard Dunne and Luke Young a chance to return from their respective shoulder and knee injuries, although fellow stopper Ciaran Clark is out through suspension.The news from the treatment room is not quite so good for Moyes, with striker Louis Saha, midfielder Jack Rodwell and defender Seamus Coleman all carrying ankle complaints, while midfielder Mikel Arteta is battling a hamstring problem.