Sean Dyche's Everton gear up to outwit Aston Villa after opening day setbacks
- Rob Fleming
- 18 August 2023
Everton's manager, Sean Dyche, is drawing motivation from a previous leader as his team aims to take the initiative against Aston Villa and "act first" in their upcoming match.
Everton boss Sean Dyche will take inspiration from one of his predecessors as his side bid to "get their retaliation in first" against Aston Villa.
Both sides suffered disappointing defeats on the opening day of the season, the Toffees losing 1-0 at home to Fulham and Villa being thrashed 5-1 at Newcastle.
Villa also lost Tyrone Mings to a serious knee injury at St James' Park and are set to be without the England international for a lengthy period of time, but Dyche expects a reaction from Unai Emery's side at Villa Park on Sunday.
"They're a good outfit, we know that from what they did last season," Dyche said. "They'll be looking, I'm sure, to bounce out of that result with a home game.
"It's important for us to remind ourselves of the good work we did (against Fulham) and take that into the Villa game with a very positive attitude, which we will be doing.
"You'd certainly imagine there's a reaction from Villa because no-one wants to get beat, certainly not the first game of the season.
"We have to expect a reaction and safeguard against that. (Former Everton boss) Joe Royle always says to me 'get your retaliation in first', don't wait for them to step forward first.
"We have to play the game on the front foot, we have to take the game on both home and away.
"That's our mentality this season, to take every challenge as it comes and take every game on with a real positive attitude and that's what we're looking to do."
Everton scored just 34 goals in 38 Premier League games last season, the second lowest total in the top flight, and drew another blank against Fulham despite creating numerous chances.
Dyche would not comment on reports linking the club with a move for Southampton striker Che Adams, but the former Burnley boss will have Dominic Calvert-Lewin available for selection this weekend.
Calvert-Lewin completed a behind-closed-doors game against Manchester United this week and Dyche said: "He's in good shape.
"He managed to get the end part of his rehab done this week with 90 minutes so he's in good shape and certainly comes straight back into the thinking."
Arnaut Danjuma and Vitalii Mykolenko are still working towards full match fitness and caution will be taken with Andre Gomes, an unused substitute against Fulham, who has tightness in his calf.
