Everton boss David Moyes insists this season isn't a write-off.

Aston Villa face Everton today with daylight now appearing between the two clubs which harbour similar ambitions.

"I can't see this season as a lost cause," the Everton manager said. "I get the feeling people will see our season as a lost cause because of the improvement made by Manchester City, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Sunderland, but I can't. Maybe, without knowing, we are in the process of building a new side.

"Maybe we are building again and are in the throes of transition just now. It might well be that we finish mid-table but it would be wrong of me to have that as my ambition. My ambition is to finish as high as I possibly can. That hasn't altered."