Aston Villa’s title hopes dented after costly Martinez error punished by Everton’s Barry

Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of Aston Villa vs Everton from the Premier League as Unai Emery’s side looked to close the gap on leaders Arsenal to just four points.

Mikel Arteta‘s men were held to a goalless draw at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, meaning they missed the chance to extend their lead at the summit of the table to nine points following Manchester City’s defeat in the Derby earlier in the day.

Villa, who have now picked up 28 points from the last 33 available in the league, have the opportunity to go three points ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side, who they trail only on goal difference coming into this afternoon‘s game.

Their only draw during the aforementioned run of league matches came in their last outing, playing out a stalemate at Crystal Palace, but they returned to winning ways in the FA Cup, beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 away from home.

Looking ahead to today’s fixture against Everton, Emery said this week: “They are performing very well away and competing fantastically.

“A team always difficult [to play]. We focus on this match after 10 days of not playing in the Premier League, we remind ourselves of the importance of this competition and it is the priority for us.”

They face an Everton side who have had a disappointing start to the New Year, losing at home to Brentford in the league before drawing at the Hill Dickinson against bottom-of-the-league Wolves.

They were then knocked out of the FA Cup on penalties by Sunderland, with that game also on home soil, after missing all three of their penalties in the shoot-out.

David Moyes’ side come into this afternoon’s contest in 12th, trailing Brighton on goal difference and just two points behind Fulham, while they are a point ahead of Crystal Palace and two adrift of Spurs.