Marco Silva: Toffees must earn top billing

Manager Marco Silva says it is up to Everton to prove themselves good enough to occupy top spot in the Premier League by overcoming Aston Villa on Friday night.

The Toffees will be hoping to continue their unbeaten start to the season at Villa Park as well as knowing that a win would move them to the summit of the top flight before the remainder of the weekend’s action gets underway.

It may be early in the term, but the Everton boss knows that going top of the table would mean something and he challenged his players to go out and earn it against last season’s Championship play-off winners.

“It would be good but we have to prove we are able to do that,” said Silva. “It is up to us to prove on the pitch we are able to get the three points. “We have to respect our opponent, they have quality. Like always we go there to win a football match and play at our best level.”

Villa have lost both games so far in their return to the big stage but Silva says they must be respected on their own patch, while he also highlights the close nature of their losses at Tottenham and at home against Bournemouth.

“The two results they achieved when you analyse the matches, they were close to getting a good result,” he said. “I think they deserved more. “They like to play good, offensive football and the game will be open. It is up to us to prove that we are able to win the match.”

Everton are the only team in the league yet to concede a goal in this campaign and that is a stat that has thrilled their manager. “It makes me really proud,” said Silva.

“We are working really hard to achieve something like that. These numbers are fantastic.” Everton are favourites at 2.25 to win at Villa, with the home side 3.20 and the draw priced at 3.40.