Chris Sutton has labelled the pressure from Everton fans on Sean Dyche as ‘ridiculous’, but admits the manager ‘needs’ a result.
The Toffees have suffered a terrible start to the 2024/25 Premier League season — their last at Goodison Park — losing all three of their matches so far.
Things reached a new low in the final game before the international break, with Everton collapsing to lose 3-2 at home to Bournemouth despite leading 2-0 in the 86th minute.
Unsurprisingly, the capitulation was met with a furious reaction from Evertonians, with many online even calling for Dyche to be sacked.
Sutton believes that’s a ‘ridiculous’ view to take, with Dyche doing enough to guide Everton to 12th last season had they not been deducted eight points.
However, the former Blackburn Rovers striker does concede that things need to improve for the Toffees soon, but doesn’t see that happening this weekend away at Aston Villa.
“Everton boss Sean Dyche is under the pump after their capitulation against Bournemouth last time out. It feels like some of their fans have turned against Dyche now, which I think is ridiculous, but he does need a result and unfortunately for him Villa Park is not a place I see Everton getting anything,” Sutton told BBC Sport.
“The Toffees got hammered 4-0 there last season and, although they will put up a fight, they are not going to get a result on this occasion either.
“How many goals Villa get might depend on whether Ollie Watkins is fit. He’s in my Fantasy team, which is bad news for him anyway, but he is an injury doubt after pulling out of the England squad.”
Ollie Watkins to return for Aston Villa’s clash with Everton
On the subject of Watkins, Villa have been given a boost — and Everton dealt a blow — with Unai Emery confirming both he and Ezri Konsa will be fit to play this weekend.
“He is progressively getting better and he is in the squad and being in the squad [the] thinking tomorrow is that he will be available to play,” Emery said of Watkins.
On Konsa, who limped off during England’s 2-0 Nations League win over Finland during the week, he added: “Yes. The players are coming back after they played with their national teams, they are in the squad. We don’t have big issues after it.”
