David Moyes last managed an Everton side in the Premier League on 12 May 2013, when his team defeated West Ham to secure sixth place, one spot above Liverpool. While he headed off to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, Everton missed out on Europe because Wigan Athletic and Swansea City won the domestic Cups. Bill Kenwright tried to sugar the pill by appointing the Wigan manager, Roberto Martínez, as Moyes’ replacement.

Tonight’s opponents, Aston Villa, have dropped down to the Championship, come back up and finished in the top four in the 12 years since Moyes’ departure. As for the other teams in action tonight: Crystal Palace came fifth and won the playoffs in 2013, finishing one place above Leicester, who won the Championship the following year and then the ruddy Premier League in 2015-16.

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