Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles.
One app.

Start reading

Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles. One news app.

Start reading

Liverpool Echo

Sport

Charlotte Coates

Everton face tough next six matches after Aston Villa loss compared to relegation rivals

Everton Aston Villa Sean Dyche Villa Chelsea Arsenal Brentford Southampton Tottenham EPL

Everton have been handed their first home defeat with Sean Dyche at the helm after losing 2-0 at home to Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.

An Ollie Watkins penalty and a finish from Emi Buendia ensured Villa were travelling back to the Midlands with all three points.

To make matters worse, the Blues have slipped back into the Premier League's bottom three after West Ham and Leeds both recorded crucial victories.

LIVE: Sean Dyche reaction as Everton lose to Aston Villa

Everton have two wins out of their first four matches under Dyche, but how do the Blues' next six fixtures look?

Arsenal (a) - Wednesday, March 1

The Dyche era at Everton got off to a dream start against Premier League leaders Arsenal, but now they must face the ultimate test by travelling to North London and trying to beat them in their own back yard.

Mikel Arteta's side will be wanting to avenge their defeat at Goodison Park by taking all three points here as they bid to stay top, but Everton have their own ideas as they look to pull away from the relegation zone.

Nottingham Forest (a) - Sunday, March 5

These are the sort of games that Dyche will know his side must pick up three points from if they are to keep their proud top-flight status intact.

Steve Cooper's side are a formidable opponent at the City Ground having taken four points off Manchester City and Liverpool as they look to also stay in the Premier League.

Brentford (h) - Saturday, March 11

The Londoners have been one of the shocks of the season as they challenge for European places. With Ivan Toney leading the line, Thomas Frank's side will be looking to come away from Goodison with all three points.

The sides played out a 1-1 draw at Brentford earlier in the season and Everton will be looking at this game as one they can pick up points from.

Chelsea (a) - Saturday, March 18

If results continue to go against him, Graham Potter could himself out of a job at Chelsea by the time this match comes around. Everton can expect a tough match at Stamford Bridge as they come up against Potter's multi-million pound squad, but Southampton proved a win can be achieved.

Tottenham (h) - Monday, April 3

Harry Kane was on the scoresheet back in October when Spurs beat Everton 2-0 in North London and the England captain will be looking to do so again at Goodison, but Dyche will be hoping his side can cause a shock here.

Antonio Conte's side are battling for a place in the top four as Everton battle to stay in the league. This could be a vital game at both ends of the table.

Manchester United (a) - Saturday, April 8

Erik ten Hag's side could well be in a title race by the time this game comes around as they currently find themselves just eight points away from top spot.

Everton play just five days prior to this game and won't have had a lot of rest, but they will need to scrap if they are to pull away from the relegation zone.

Everton's relegation rivals' next six matches

Nottingham Forest

05/03 Everton (h)

11/03 Tottenham (a)

17/03 Newcastle United (h)

01/04 Wolves (h)

08/04 Aston Villa (a)

15/04 Manchester United (h)

Leicester City

04/03 Southampton (a)

11/03 Chelsea (h)

18/03 Brentford (a)