Barry Horne: Everton FC can still take advantage of Aston Villa's woes

I have often applauded him for the consistency of his team selection but club owner Randy Lerner has apparently criticised him for not using his squad players enough, blaming their recent results on that decision.

O'Neill's argument is that this is the exact reason why he needs more money as he feels compelled to use the same players week-in, week-out. The upshot is that Villa are can certainly be caught.

With West Ham next up at Goodison tomorrow, Everton can get themselves back on track.

I'm a great admirer of Gianfranco Zola. He is a very respectful man who is modest, honest and dignified in everything he does.

He really does not deserve the treatment he has been getting from the club's owners who probably doesn't possess some of those attributes.

However football is football and hopefully Everton will beat them convincingly, pushing another club who has not been financially prudent nearer to the relegation trapdoor.

Villa and West Ham are two clubs of similar stature to Everton in recent years and the difficulties in the relationships between their owners and managers emphasise just how much Everton are in great hands. Bill Kenwright and David Moyes have always cut their cloth accordingly.

Fabio Capello must have been impressed by Everton FC's England contingent

FABIO CAPELLO was at Molineux last weekend to check on the contingent of English Evertonians.

Phil Jagielka looked like he is still on his way back to full fitness and form but surely the Italian will monitor his progress and he must have a chance.

Jack Rodwell will have enhanced his status as a future England regular while Capello must also have noticed an older head in captain Phil Neville.

Neville consistently performs well in whatever role he is asked to play and in tournament football someone who can happily play in three or four different positions must be considered.

If you accept that Ashley Cole is England's best left-back then Leighton Baines is definitely the next best. He is surely now a contender to make the squad as Capello looks for a specialist left-back considering concerns over Cole's fitness.