Thank you for joining me. Here is Andy Hunter’s match report from Goodison Park.
Here is the report from Leeds.
Your man Nick Ames - and his big woolly hat - was at Brentford.
You will probably want to join Rob Smyth for the main event.
At least I am not alone when it comes to Trezeguet being banned.
Genuinely the worst thing I’ve ever seen on a football pitch. Ban him for life. https://t.co/nUPqTqSRLx
— Sachin Nakrani (@SachinNakrani) January 2, 2022
Real Madrid lost.
Congratulations, Danny!
17 - Following Aston Villa’s loss today at Brentford (in which Danny Ings scored the opening goal), only Jamie Vardy (20) has scored in more Premier League defeats since the start of the 2014-15 season than Danny Ings (17). Unfortunate. #BREAVL
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 2, 2022
Burnley managed two shots on target and create just eight chances in total. Their goal came from a 30-yard free-kick. They are not good enough in the final third, that’s for sure.
Full-time: Leeds 3-1 Burnley
The Clarets are in big trouble.
Full-time: Brentford 2-1 Aston Villa
A bit of a smash and grab.
Full-time: Everton 2-3 Brighton
A fine win for Brighton.
Brentford 2-1 Aston Villa: Martinez comes up for a corner but Fernandez punches clear. Trezeguet dribbles the ball into the box and then throws himself to the ground in hilarious fashion. Ban him for life.
GOAL! Leeds 3-1 Burnley (James, 90+1)
A James header finishes this as a contest.
Updated
Brentford 2-1 Aston Villa: Buendia rises above everyone (somehow) to head towards to the corner but Fernandez palms it wide.
Brentford 2-1 Aston Villa: A deep cross to the back post finds Targett but he cannot direct his header on goal and it drifts wide.
Brentford 2-1 Aston Villa: We are almost level once again as Ings gets away a shot from eight yards which Fernandez does well to save, before watching defender Jansson clear behind for a corner.
Brentford 2-1 Aston Villa: Roerslev gets into the box and the ball lands at his feet, he takes a wicked shot which Martinez can only palm straight back to the Brentford man who makes no mistake at the second time of asking.
GOAL! Brentford 2-1 Aston Villa (Roerslev, 83)
A fine finish from the wing-back at the second attempt.
Updated
Brentford 1-1 Aston Villa: McGinn whips in a free-kick from the right which is flicked towards goal by Ings but the header lacks pace and Fernandez takes hold.
GOAL! Leeds 2-1 Burnley (Dallas, 77)
A fine finish from the Northern Irishman who curls the ball into the corner from outside the box.
Updated
Brentford 1-1 Aston Villa: Buendia is in pain on the deck after an awkward landing following a challenge for a header. Looks like he might have dislocated a shoulder or something of that ilk. Trezeguet replaces Trao.
Updated
Everton 2-3 Brighton: Gordon sweeps home a Kenny cross to get Everton back into the match.
GOAL! Everton 2-3 Brighton (Gordon, 75)
Game on again?
Updated
Brentford 1-1 Aston Villa: Onyeka dribbles towards the box and picks his spot from the edge of the area but Martinez gets down well to the left to tip the ball wide.
Leeds 1-1 Burnley: Some fine work by James on the wing ends with a fine cross into the box, which reaches Raphinha but he can only direct the ball wide from six yards.
Everton 1-3 Brighton: A second for the Argentinian who volleys home with aplomb (and power).
GOAL! Everton 1-3 Brighton (Mac Allister, 70)
Game over?
Updated
Everton 1-2 Brighton: Allan lets rip from 30 yards and it looks to be sailing into the top corner until Sanchez reaches the ball with his fingertips.
Brentford 1-1 Aston Villa: Cash lays off a pass on the touchline and is caught late by Baptiste. He holds his leg in pain but gets up to carry on.
Brentford 1-1 Aston Villa: Sanson is on for Ramsey.
Leeds 1-1 Burnley: A couple of changes for the hosts as Gelhardt and James are on for Roberts and Harrison.
Leeds 1-1 Burnley: “Is Wood really that bad?” asks Joachim Suggate. “I’d been under the impression he was okay.”
He is, to be fair, OK but has scored three goals in 19 games this season, which is less than ideal.
Brentford 1-1 Aston Villa: The visitors are back on top and looking pretty slick. Ings collects a pass on the edge of the box, shuffles to find some space and takes aim but his shot is deflected wide.
Everton 1-2 Brighton: Love a good myth.
There's a lot of self-mythologising in all football clubs but Goodison makes a real difference when Everton need a comeback @Will_Unwin. It might not be enough, but it's on, it's really on.
— Gary Naylor (@garynaylor999) January 2, 2022
Leeds 1-1 Burnley: I was there for this goal. I support neither team.
2017 – Substitute Maxwel Cornet is the first player to score a direct free-kick for Burnley in the Premier League since Steven Defour vs Manchester United on Boxing Day 2017. Rarity. #LEEBUR
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 2, 2022
Leeds 1-1 Burnley: I think the Clarets need to do business more urgently than anyone else around them at the bottom. Their squad lacks any sort of quality in the final third currently and with Cornet departing for a month, they could be in a world of trouble by the time he returns.
Leeds 1-1 Burnley: Lowton needs treatment after being hit by a missile thrown by Leeds fans, it would seem.
Leeds 1-1 Burnley: Cornet pings in a free-kick from 30 yards to score his sixth goal in 11 Premier League appearances. A shame he is off to Afcon ...
Everton 1-2 Brighton: Gordon cuts in from the right and fires a shot at goal which is deflected in.
GOAL! Leeds 1-1 Burnley (Cornet, 53)
Burnley’s only decent forward scores!
Updated
GOAL! Everton 1-2 Brighton (Gordon, 53)
The Toffees are back in it.
Updated
Brentford 1-1 Aston Villa: Buendia looks to curl one into the corner from just outside the area but it flashes past the post.
Canos walks back off. Ghoddos on.
Brentford 1-1 Aston Villa: Canos jogs back on ...
Brentford 1-1 Aston Villa: Canos looks to have done his hamstring.
Everton 0-2 Brighton: Calvert-Lewin has a fine chance but his volley from inside the area is superbly blocked by Burn.
Everton 0-2 Brighton: No changes for Everton, however, despite being pretty ruddy awful in the opening 45 minutes.
Leeds 1-0 Burnley: Dyche sends on Cornet for Gudmundsson to ensure he has one decent forward on the pitch.
Second half
The whistles are blown to indicate another 45 minutes of action in the Premier League matches.
Over in Spain, Real Madrid have lost at Getafe thanks to a goal from Manchester City legend Enes Unal.
It’s a good goal.
WHAT A GOAL! 😍💥
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 2, 2022
Yoane Wissa equalises for Brentford! 🐝
📺 Watch #BREAVL live on Sky Sports PL pic.twitter.com/DGs4JXC6zp
Half-time scores
Brentford 1-1 Aston Villa
Everton 0-2 Brighton
Leeds 1-0 Burnley
Updated
Brentford 1-1 Aston Villa: Another dangerous cross from Canos is sliced over his own crossbar by Ramsey. Brentford very much on top now.
Brentford 1-1 Aston Villa: The equaliser has given the hosts a lift. Canos does some fine work on the left before sending in a very dangerous cross that no one attacks.
GOAL! Brentford 1-1 Aston Villa (Wissa, 42)
Brentford have been pretty poor for the majority of the match but Wissa draws them level thanks to a beautiful first touch and a wonderful curling effort from 20 yards.
Updated
Leeds 1-0 Burnley: The blame for the opener can be laid at Tarkowski’s door after his poor pass meant for Lowton is intercepted by Harrison, allowing him to get in on goal.
GOAL! Leeds 1-0 Burnley (Harrison, 38)
It has been coming at Elland Road as the winger finds the back of the net at the second time of asking after Hennessey saves his first shot.
Updated
Everton 0-2 Brighton: Almost a third for Brighton as Lallana takes aim for the bottom corner but Pickford reacts well to keep it out.
Everton 0-2 Brighton: Not the best.
22 - Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the 22nd different player to miss a Premier League penalty for Everton with only Arsenal (23) having more different players miss a spot kick in the competition’s history. Pressure. #EVEBHA
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 2, 2022
Leeds 0-0 Burnley: Roberts really should give the hosts the lead but he plants his header from six yards wide. Burnley need to up their game.
Brentford 0-1 Aston Villa: Onyeka is now in the book for bundling Buendia over.
Everton 0-2 Brighton: Get Graham Stuart on, Rafa!
Wimbledon 1994 required @Will_Unwin.
— Gary Naylor (@garynaylor999) January 2, 2022
Brentford 0-1 Aston Villa: Ramsey is booked for an impressively cynical trip on Onyeka.
Leeds 0-0 Burnley: The hosts are certainly on top and Burnley are feeling the pressure. Tarkowski goes into the book for felling Firpo.
Brentford 0-1 Aston Villa: McGinn is given plenty of space 25 yards from goal, he takes a couple of touches and then lets rip but his effort flies over the bar.
MISSED PENALTY: Everton 0-2 Brighton
Calvert-Lewin whacks it over the bar. Oh dear.
Updated
Everton 0-2 Brighton: A penalty to Everton after a VAR review finds Anthony Gordon was fouled by Enock Mwepu.
GOAL! Everton 0-2 Brighton (Burn, 21)
The big defender heads home a corner. A dreadful day for Everton thus far.
Updated
Leeds 0-0 Burnley: Raphinha picks up the ball just inside the Burnley half, spots Hennessey off his line so decides to chip him causing the goalkeeper to panic and backpedal until he sees the shot drift just over the bar.
Brentford 0-1 Aston Villa: Ramsey is on the deck after a clash of heads with Norgaard. The medical staff are quickly on to assess the midfielder.
Leeds 0-0 Burnley: Dallas bursts into the box and whacks a shot at goal but Hennessey is very much equal to it.
GOAL! Brentford 0-1 Aston Villa (Ings, 16)
The striker drifts away from the centre-back to find space in the channel where he collects a lovely weighted pass from Buendia before sliding it across the goalkeeper with his left foot into the corner.
Updated
Leeds 0-0 Burnley: Roberts goes into the book for a lunge on Lowton who needs treatment after being caught by the Leeds man’s studs. The Burnley defender does get back up and is fine to continue.
Brentford 0-0 Aston Villa: Traore collects a loose ball after a poor touch from Toney, he moves the ball to Buendia, allowing him to slip a pass through to Ings, who shifts it into space and fires off a shot which is deflected wide.
Everton 0-1 Brighton: Kenny, the man who played Maupay onside for his assist for the goal, is booked for clattering into the scorer Mac Allister.
Leeds 0-0 Burnley: It is absolutely pelting it down in Yorkshire to make things tricky for those on the pitch at Elland Road.
Everton 0-1 Brighton: The Argentinian collects a Maupay knockdown as the Everton defenders watch on, allowing him to calmly finish in style.
GOAL! Everton 0-1 Brighton (Mac Allister, 3)
A cracking start for Brighton at Goodison Park.
Updated
Everton 0-0 Brighton: Benitez is using Seamus Coleman as a left wing-back and is forcing Lucas Digne to watch how it goes.
Brentford 0-0 Aston Villa: Sergi Canos puts in an early tackle on Matt Cash to get the home crowd going.
Kick-off
The whistles are a-peeping across the country!
A new face at Goodison Park.
Goodison Park 🤝 Vitaliy Mykolenko#EVEBHA pic.twitter.com/5gg7dKirvc
— Everton (@Everton) January 2, 2022
Brentford’s Mathias Jensen has had a problem in the warm up and is being assessed in the changing room. If he can’t start, he will be replaced by Shandon Baptiste.
Steven Gerrard says the club have a mix of Covid and injuries problems does not thing he is allowed to offer up the details.
“Who has already moved?” I hear no one ask.
Calvert-Lewin starts for Everton which is fine news for them. They have really missed him since he was injured at the start of the season. Lucas Digne is also recalled to the bench following his well-documented beef with Rafa Benitez.
All these teams need to do a bit of business.
Our man at Brentford, Nick Ames, has been in touch. He says it is raining in west London and most of it is falling on him. #PrayforNick.
And a little bit of Rich Jolly to add to that.
Aaron Lennon becomes the second player to play for Leeds at Elland Road in the Premier League before their relegation in 2004 and against them in the PL at Elland Road since their return in 2020, after James Milner.
— Richard Jolly (@RichJolly) January 2, 2022
Aaron Lennon keeps his place in the Burnley starting lineup upon his return to Leeds, the club he made his debut for in August 2003, after being their best player at Old Trafford in the week. They also have Maxwel Cornet on the bench, giving them some hope they can change the game with a substitution for once.
One man not playing for Aston Villa ...
Starting lineups: Brentford v Aston Villa
Brentford: Fernandez, Pinnock, Jansson, Sorensen, Roerslev, Norgaard, Jensen, Onyeka, Canos, Wissa, Toney.
Subs: Cox, Thompson, Forss, Ghoddos, Ajer, Baptiste, Janelt, Bidstrup, Stevens.
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Hause, Targett, Douglas Luiz, McGinn, Buendia, Ramsey, Traore, Ings.
Subs: Steer, Sanson, Trezeguet, El Ghazi, Philogene-Bidace, Chukwuemeka, Archer, Iroegbunam, Feeney.
Updated
Starting lineups: Everton v Brighton
Everton: Pickford, Kenny, Holgate, Keane, Godfrey, Allan, Doucoure, Gordon, Coleman, Gray, Calvert-Lewin.
Subs: Begovic, Digne, Iwobi, Gomes, Gbamin, Rondon, Simms, Dobbin, Onyango.
Brighton: Sanchez, Veltman, Webster, Burn, Cucurella, Bissouma, Mwepu, Lallana, Trossard, Mac Allister, Maupay.
Subs: Steele, Lamptey, Gross, Moder, Alzate, Welbeck, March, Duffy, Richards.
Starting lineups: Leeds v Burnley
Leeds: Meslier, Ayling, Koch, Llorente, Firpo, Forshaw, Dallas, Klich, Raphinha, Roberts, Harrison.
Subs: Klaesson, James, Bate, Gelhardt, Hjelde, Summerville, Greenwood, Jenkins, Moore.
Burnley: Hennessey, Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, Lennon, Gudmundsson, Westwood, Cork, McNeil, Wood.
Subs: Norris, Stephens, Rodriguez, Cornet, Collins, Pieters, Bardsley, Vydra, Long.
Preamble
Despite Covid’s best efforts, we have three 2pm kick-offs for your enjoyment.
The most important fixture, arguably, is Burnley’s trip to Leeds as it is bordering on being a relegation six-pointer. Burnley are in relatively poor form, as they have been since the start of the season, but they are up against a Leeds side who are struggling and lacking some pretty key players.
Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper are out for the hosts, a less than ideal outcome for Marcelo Bielsa as he needs to fill two key roles within the spine of his team. They have conceded 14 goals in their past three games, all defeats you will not be surprised to hear. Burnley have not won away since May but will think they are in with a chance at Elland Road.
Everton are hosting Brighton in a game which should see Dominic Calvert-Lewin make his first appearance since August. His teammates haven’t played for a while either after seeing their past three matches called off due to Covid. Brighton arrive off the back of earning a dramatic draw at Stamford Bridge to give them a big boost.
Brentford will be hoping to have retrieved their ball from Manchester City as they await Aston Villa’s trip to west London. The Bees have lost their past three games, which is less than ideal.
Anyway … let’s hope for a fun afternoon.
