Preview: Aston Villa vs Everton | AI Predictions | WSL Week 15
In this preview, we break down key stats, trends, and use our AI-powered predictions models to reveal how Aston Villa and Everton match up in this week's WSL showdown
📅 Date: Sunday, 2nd March 2025
⏰ Kick-off: 14:00 (UK)
📍 Venue: Villa Park
📺 How to Watch: Live on YouTube
🔍 Match Context & Overview
Aston Villa welcome Everton to Villa Park in what could be a crucial WSL clash for both sides. The hosts sit 11th in the table and are desperate to halt a concerning three-match losing streak, having won just once in their last six games, while 9th-placed Everton arrive with slightly better recent form but still searching for their first away win of the season.
🦁 Villa's Desperate Search for Form
Aston Villa are enduring a difficult run, having lost three consecutive matches and winning just once in their last six games. Their overall record of 2 wins, 4 draws, and 8 losses (10 points) has them sitting precariously in 11th position. Despite maintaining decent possession stats (52.7% average), Villa have struggled to convert chances, underperforming their xG by 2.3 goals this season. Their defensive frailties are particularly concerning, with their goalkeeper save percentage of 59.0% ranking as the second-worst in the league.
🔵 Everton's Away Day Blues
Despite sitting two places higher in the table with 13 points (3 wins, 4 draws, 7 losses), Everton share Villa's struggles on the road. The Toffees are yet to win away from home this season (0W-2D-5L), scoring just 3 goals in 7 away matches – the second-lowest in the league. However, they've shown recent signs of improvement, including a convincing 4-1 home win against Leicester City. Notably, Everton's goalkeeping has been a relative strength, with their 78.8% save percentage ranking third-highest in the WSL despite facing the third-most shots on target.
📊 The Numbers Tell a Story
Both teams have offensive struggles – Everton have scored just 12 goals (2nd lowest) while Villa have managed 15. Defensively, Villa have conceded 27 goals (3rd worst) compared to Everton's 22. Neither team has been clinical in front of goal, with both underperforming their xG by around 2.5 goals.
The statistical similarities extend to their defensive actions, where both sides have relied heavily on clearances (Villa: 265, Everton: 390) and blocks to compensate for their positional weaknesses. One key difference is Everton's tendency to concede penalties, with 4 awarded against them (most in the league).
🏆 Head-to-Head Record
The head-to-head record is relatively balanced with Villa holding a slight historical edge (4 wins to Everton's 3, with 2 draws). Their most recent encounter on January 18, 2025, ended in a 1-1 draw at Walton Hall Park, despite Villa generating significantly higher xG (1.1 vs 0.4).
Recent meetings have been competitive and close, a stark contrast to earlier fixtures like Everton's 6-0 win in October 2020. Villa have generally performed better in this fixture when playing away, winning 3 of their 5 visits to Everton.
📌 Predicted Scoreline: Aston Villa 1-0 Everton
📊 AI-Powered Prediction:
Our AI model, trained on xG trends, defensive efficiency, home/away form, and historical data, predicts a narrow home victory for Aston Villa in what is expected to be a low-scoring contest.
Statistical Factors:
Aston Villa's home advantage (8 points at home vs. Everton’s 2 points away).
Everton’s poor away record (0 wins in 7 matches, scoring just 3 goals).
Both teams consistently underperform their xG metrics, but Villa may find the breakthrough at home.
📢 Have Your Say!
Can Villa end their three-match losing streak? Will Everton finally secure their first away win of the season?
Drop your predictions and key players to watch in the comments!