View: Premier League results put additional pressure on Everton v Villa
Over the past month Everton have seen Champions League football slip away from them, with a string of disappointing Premier League results costing them their chance.
In early March the Toffees were two points behind fourth place in the Premier League, with a game in hand, and with winnable games against Burnley, Crystal Palace and Brighton to come.
After picking up just two points from those games, as well as blowing an opportunity to beat Tottenham, the Blues had almost seen their hopes completely dashed.
However Everton have been offered renewed hope after a number of clubs around them failed to pick up maximum points this week, while the Toffees rode their luck against Arsenal.
Liverpool were only able to pick up two points in their recent games against Brighton and Newcastle while West Ham have lost back-to-back fixtures against Newcastle and Chelsea.
Everton are now just six points away from fourth with a game in hand, with one of their remaining fixtures seeing them face West Ham, who currently sit fifth.
Given how many points have been dropped by clubs around Everton in the league table, there will be additional pressure on the club’s shoulders when they face Aston Villa next weekend.
Villa have enjoyed mixed success this season, with Jack Grealish’s lengthy injury lay-off having played havoc with their form in the league, and the Blues now have a chance to capitalise.
Everton must play Villa twice before the seasons ends after COVID forced their January clash to be postponed, and the Merseyside outfit will be aware of how important every point could be between now and the end of the season.
Ancelotti will still need to hope sides above Everton drop points in order for his men to qualify for the Champions League, which still seems like a stretch, but the Europa League is a very real possibility if the club see fit to perform.
Recent results have spun in Everton’s favour and now they’ll need to work hard to make those dropped points count.
In other Everton news, the Toffees want to sign a Ligue 1 midfielder who is admired by a former Everton star.
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