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Date: Sunday, 18 January 2026
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Villa Park
Suggested Bet: Aston Villa -1 Handicap
After seeing their Premier League title push slow slightly over the last three rounds, Aston Villa return to Villa Park determined to reassert themselves against an Everton side arriving off the back of a difficult run of results.
Aston Villa were held to a frustrating 0–0 draw away at Crystal Palace last time out, a result that stalled momentum but did little to derail their overall title credentials. Unai Emery’s side remain firmly in the hunt, starting the round six points behind leaders Arsenal and with plenty of football still to play.
Villa Park has been nothing short of a fortress this season. Villa have won 11 consecutive home matches in all competitions, underlining their dominance in familiar surroundings. They have also lost just one of their 16 league games against teams starting the round outside the top five (W11, D4), showing a strong ability to take care of business against mid-table and lower-ranked opposition.
Everton, by contrast, arrive in the Midlands searching for stability. The Toffees have managed just one win in their last seven matches across all competitions (D2, L4), with injuries and inconsistency hampering progress. A recent run of three consecutive home fixtures produced no victories (D1, L2), adding to pressure on David Moyes.
There have been some encouraging signs away from home, however. Everton have won three of their last five away league games, but that form comes with a major caveat – they have lost five of their six matches against current top-six sides this season, highlighting a clear gulf in class when stepping up in opposition.
This fixture has heavily favoured Aston Villa in recent years. The hosts are unbeaten in their last 13 Premier League meetings with Everton (W9, D4), with the Toffees failing to record a league win since Villa’s return to the top flight in 2019.
Villa have also kept more Premier League clean sheets against Everton than any other opponent (25), reinforcing how comfortable this matchup has often been for them. The reverse fixture earlier this season ended in a 0–0 draw, but Villa dominated large spells of that contest.
Eight of Villa’s ten home league games this season featured at least one first-half goal
Villa have recorded more home league wins than any side outside the top two
None of Everton’s last five away matches saw both teams score
Everton have led four away league games at half-time, the second-highest tally behind Manchester City
Morgan Rogers has been Villa’s standout contributor this season, leading the squad for both goals (8) and assists (6) across all competitions. Interestingly, only one of his last six scoring appearances has come at Villa Park, suggesting others could also step up in this fixture.
Former Villa favourite Jack Grealish returns from suspension for Everton, though discipline has been an issue for him in this matchup, having been booked in each of his last three appearances against Villa.
Villa are monitoring the fitness of Boubacar Kamara after he picked up an injury last time out, while Everton report no new injury concerns ahead of this trip.
Villa’s exceptional home form, combined with Everton’s struggles against elite opposition, points strongly toward a comfortable home win. Winning 11 straight matches at Villa Park is no fluke, and Everton’s record against top-six sides suggests they often fall short when faced with sustained pressure.
While Everton’s recent away improvements deserve respect, their lack of attacking output on the road and Villa’s historically strong defensive record in this fixture make it difficult to see the visitors keeping this close.
Aston Villa -1 Handicap looks the correct angle, offering value if Emery’s side deliver another authoritative home performance.