Hello and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE text commentary of the Premier League clash between Everton and Aston Villa. It's do or die time for Dean Smith's side, they realistically need five points from their last three points - and hope other results go their way. That makes this evening's game absolutely huge. The Toffees are in a rotten run of form - can Villa capitalise and put huge pressure on fellow strugglers West Ham and Watford? It's the business end of the season, for sure.
Premier League / Matchday 36
Goodison Park / 16.07.2020
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- T. Walcott(88')
- E. Konsa(72')
Live
Live Updates
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Updated 16/07/2020 at 18:54 GMT
4'
Already Everton have looked more positive than they were in the dismal defeat to Wolves.
2'
Everton start on the front foot and work an opening immediately. Bernard shows some lovely skill before the ball is switched to Iwobi. His cross is met by Calvert-Lewin who tries the ambitious bicycle-kick and gets it all wrong, firing high into the stands.
1st Half
1'
KICK-OFF! The players take the knee in the ongoing fight against racist and then the game gets underway.
17:58
Pickford appeared to hurt himself in the warm-up but he will start in goal for Everton.
17:57
Here comes the players. It's a huge match for both clubs. Villa for obvious reasons, but Everton need a victory to lift spirits around the club.
17:50
STAT: Everton have won their last three home league games against Aston Villa, last winning more consecutively against them at Goodison Park between 1964-1975 (5).
17:45
Unsurprisingly, Ancelotti rings the changes this evening. Everton were dire against Wolves. There are questions all over the pitch and especially in goal where Jordan Pickford has been less than convincing. With Burnley's Nick Pope in such great form, surely Pickford's England spot is under increasing pressure.
17:40
Smith tells Sky Sports the "pressure is building" as the relegation battle heats up. He stresses the win over Crystal Palace has given the club a huge boost. It's a big ask for Villa to stay up now, but who knows what can happen. Football is a funny old game.
17:35
Let's have a look at the fight for survival run-in, shall we?
West Ham (16th) have Watford tomorrow, Manchester United (a) before a mouth-watering home tie with Villa on the last day.
Watford's (17th) remaining fixtures are difficult - after the Hammers, they play Manchester City (h) and then Arsenal (a).
Bournemouth (18th) host rivals Southampton and visit Everton on the last day.
Aston Villa host Arsenal before the West Ham tie.
17:30
The title may have been put to bed early, but there is plenty still to play for as the Premier League draws to a close. But today we are focusing on the relegation battle. Obviously Villa could really do with a win today, and then they will pray West Ham and Watford cancel each other out in a draw tomorrow.
17:25
History.
17:23
Sunday's victory closed the gap on West Ham and Watford, in 16th and 17th respectively, to four points.
17:20
Smith makes just ONE change from the Villa side that defeated Crystal Palace on Sunday. Matt Targett replaces the injured Neil Taylor at left-back.
17:17
Ancelotti was unimpressed with Everton's lack of fight in their dismal defeat to Wolves. He will want a response today.
17:13
Carlo Ancelotti makes FIVE changes to the side that lost 3-0 to Wolves last time out. In defence, Mason Holgate comes in for Yerry Mina, while Seamus Coleman replaces Leighton Baines. In midfield, Andre Gomes takes the place of Gylfi Sigurdsson while Bernard and Alex Iwobi come in on the flanks for Anthony Gordon and Theo Walcott. Looks very like a 4-4-2, with Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin leading the attack.
17:10
Everton XI: Pickford, Digne, Coleman, Holgate, Keane, Davies, Gomes, Bernard, Iwobi, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.. subs: Stekelenburg, Virginia, Baines, Sigurdsson, Walcott, Sidibe, Kean, Branthwaite, Gordon. /// Aston Villa XI: Reina, Targett, Elmohamady, Konsa, Mings, Luiz, McGinn, Hourihane, Grealish, Trezeguet, Samatta.. subs: Nyland, Lansbury, Nakamba, El Ghazi, Jota, Guilbert, Vassilev, Davis, Hayden.