Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Premier League clash between Everton and Aston Villa.

Villa bouyed by their recent 2-2 draw at Liverpool. So well capable of taking something from this contest this afternoon.

Mirallas has a go from 25 yards, but the shot deflects off a blue shirt before spinning safely into the arms of Guzan.

Delph and Westwood look to exchange passes here with Holt, but Villa not really going anywhere with it as Everton break up the play.

Baines with the free-kick, but McCarthy can't benefit from the loose ball breaking to him as Villa quickly press to clear.

Rain continues to tumble as Baines is again sent spinning to the deck. This time by Holt. Another free-kick out wide for Everton.

Villa struggling to get on the ball with any degree of certainty here. Have hardly touched the ball. Everton so comfortable in keeping possession.

Villa trying to settle themselves down after almost shedding that early opening goal to the home side.

Everton are unbeaten in their last six Premier League matches against Aston Villa (home and away).

Paul Lambert is managing in his 100th match in the Premier League (W29-D28-L42).

Ball breaks to McGeady, but he is so unlucky to see a swerving shot come back off a post. So unfortunate as Guzan wasn't getting there.

Bacuna takes out Baines and Everton have a decent chance to apply some pressure from out wide.

Off we go then in the first half of this contest. Rain tumbling down.

FACT: Leon Osman has scored six Premier League goals against Aston Villa, more than he has managed against any other opponent in the competition.

FACT: In Aston Villa’s last 10 Premier League away games they have either conceded exactly two goals (six times) or kept a clean sheet.

FACT: Everton have lost just one of their last 20 Barclays Premier League games at Goodison Park (W14 D5 L1).

Paul Lambert: "You'd certainly like to think (Fabian Delph's) best years are still ahead of him. He's still only a young guy though he seems to have been about for years. He's a young guy and he has a big career in front of him if he keeps going the way he's going. He's been absolutely first class this season and how far his career goes will depend on him and how he keeps performing."

Roberto Martinez: "We don't hide the fact we had a real disappointment on Tuesday because we know how important the derby is but in the same manner we are still in that privileged group (Arsenal and Chelsea are the others) in the league of having only three defeats. That shows how well we have done in the season and now is a moment when we have to get together as a football club band take this defeat as something which really hurts.”

Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor is not involved due to a foot injury, meaning Grant Holt continues up front alongside Christian Benteke.

Kevin Mirallas is called upon to replace injured striker Romelu Lukaku as new signing Lacina Traore is 2 weeks away from fitness. I would have thought Naismith or Vellios would start up front, but the Belgian winger gets the nod with Aiden McGeady starting out wide. Defenders Seamus Coleman and Sylvain Distin and forward Gerard Deulofeu (all hamstring) will not be ready to return for another week.

TEAMS - Everton: Howard, Baines, Jagielka, McGeady, Mirallas, Distin, McCarthy, Barry, Barkley, Osman, Stones; Subs: Joel, Hibbert, Naismith, Pienaar, Coleman, Vellios, Garbutt /// Villa: Guzan, Bacuna, Vlaar, Clark, Baker, Bertrand, Westwood, Delph, Weimann, Benteke, Holt; Subs: Steer, El Ahmadi, Sylla, Helenius, Albrighton, Tonev, Lowton