5 bold Premier League predictions this weekend: Liverpool and Arsenal draw

4. John McGinn scores as Aston Villa beat Everton

Aston Villa made the return to the top-flight after a three-year Championship hiatus and although their Premier League performances have shown signs of promise, Villa are still pointless after two matches.

Dean Smith’s side were impressive in an opening day loss to Tottenham – a match they led for a significant period – but they give themselves little hope last weekend by conceding two early goals against Bournemouth.

This week the Birmingham-based side host Merseysiders, Everton. The Toffees opened their campaign with a 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace and followed this up with a 1-0 win over Watford last weekend. Marco Silva’s side still don’t look to be the free-flowing team that their fans want them to be but it seems like there’s a stronger foundation in place for them to build upon this season.

For a team like Everton, who have good players but not necessarily world beaters, confidence is key. If Silva’s side can put a good run together then they will grow in confidence and their quality players will become more expressive, leading to much better displays whilst also taking points.

The Everton players probably won’t care too much about how they’re getting the points right now but more the fact that they actually are. A trip to Villa Park won’t be an easy task but if they play to their full potential they should stand a good chance of winning.

Dean Smith’s side likes to play soccer the right way and that should give Everton a greater license to pursue a more attacking game plan. That would suggest that goals will be the order of the day.

Gylfi Sigurdsson will open the scoring for Marco Silva’s side but Villa will hit back courtesy of goals from Jack Grealish and Jack Grealish.