I've read comments, Tweets and articles this week that have made me wonder what it is to be a supporter these days. It baffles me that some are questioning the manager after what we've been through the past few years and what the manager has achieved in such a short period of time.
But then I remember. The internet doesn't require a test or exam to be given access. Stupid is as stupid does.
Since I've supported Aston Villa, I don't remember a better time and I've seen us hold aloft silverware at Wembley. And despite having all the time in the world for Brian Little, Ron Atkinson, Graham Taylor and John Gregory, it's never felt this good to be a supporter. And a large part of that is the optimism, but it all equals the feeling.
It is truly baffling, but it's a long season, we have sensible owners and just because I wish something, it doesn't mean it happens. Success comes through hard work, dedication and a little bit of time. But that will be lost on some.
Everton tomorrow
And an argument can be made for any position and that is why I think we can win tomorrow. I don't think I liked Friday night football when it started, but I know I turned quickly. It means business gets out of the way for the weekend and I seem to have a memory of enjoying my weekends when we've played Friday before.
I could be wrong with that but I also have memories of mid-week games in the rain as always been good for us too. But I'm getting old now.
But tomorrow is going to be good. We're going to see the team play and Dean Smith always gets better. We've got the players, they've got the desire and with the right support, Villa Park will be an intimidating place for any group of eleven players, especially if they're the away side.
And because it's what I do, video and scraped content from the BBC below. I'm going to turn on HBO and watch something interesting. With a beer or three.
Press conference
Match facts from the BBC
Head-to-head
- This is the most-played league fixture in England. Friday marks their 203rd league encounter - all in the top flight - with Everton leading Aston Villa by 76 wins to 73.
- Everton have scored two goals or more in eight successive Premier League meetings - a club record run against the same opponent.
- Villa's only win in their 11 most recent league matches against Everton was 3-2 at home in May 2015.
Aston Villa
- Aston Villa have only once started a Premier League season with more than two successive defeats - a run of four in 1997-98.
- They have lost 14 of their past 15 Premier League games, drawing the other one against Newcastle. It's the second-longest winless run in the club's top-flight history, four behind their unwanted record.
- Their most recent top-flight win came against Norwich at Villa Park in February 2016.
- Villa have suffered consecutive home league defeats for the first time since February 2017. They last fared worse when losing six in a row between February and April 2016.
- Since winning their first Friday Premier League match, against Spurs in December 1997, Villa have drawn three and lost two of the five top-flight fixtures they have played on that day.
- Jack Grealish has lost a record 20 Premier League games in a row.
Everton
- The Toffees have gone unbeaten in their opening two Premier League fixtures for the last eight campaigns.
- They are vying to start a season with three successive top-flight clean sheets for the first time since 1912.
- Everton's tally of 12 Premier League clean sheets in 2019 is second only to Manchester City's 13.
- Their only defeat in 10 league matches came at Fulham in April (W6, D3).
- Seamus Coleman and Gylfi Sigurdsson are both one short of 250 Premier League appearances.