Ben Mee admits Burnley want some revenge against Everton

The Toffees were 5-1 winners on Boxing Day last season, a result that left many at the club shell-shocked as they faced up to a real battle at the bottom of the Premier League.

It was ultimately a defining afternoon though and a watershed moment, Sean Dyche seeing his side pull clear of danger in the second half of the campaign.

A strong 2019 has continued into the new season with the Clarets looking to head into the international break in style against Marco Silva’s men.

“We want to perform well and we’ve got the last game in our mind a little bit from when they came to our place,” said skipper Mee.

“It was a turning point in our season. It’s one we want to put right.

“We’ll definitely be up for it and it will be a good buzz if we get a good result.

“I’m sure they’ll be a good atmosphere with a big team coming to our place. And if we can get through this stage of games not having lost a game it would be a good round.”

The latest positive result came with a 2-2 draw at Aston Villa, goals from Jay Rodriguez and Chris Wood seeing the Clarets twice come from behind to take a point.

It means Dyche’s side are 11th seven games in, only Arsenal and Liverpool having beaten them in the league this season.

The Villa game saw the Clarets boss switch from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 at the break in a move that helped turn around his side’s fortunes.

“It was a good point,” said Mee.

“To get back in the game and then go 2-1 down, to get an equaliser again we showed good character.

“We knew it was going to be tough, we knew the crowd would get behind them, but we ground it out and changed the formation at half time and changed the game really.

“We stick with our 4-4-2 a lot but we can change it up and the boys at the top did really well.

“Everyone grasped the change in formation really well.

“To score two goals away from home isn’t something we’ve maybe done in the past.  But the goals are coming and we’re getting in position to score goals which is a big bonus.

“The goals conceded were disappointing but the balls they put into the box were really good to be fair to them.

“When we get our delivery right we’re dangerous and we scored from two really good crosses.”

While the formation may have changed further forward, one thing that didn’t was a solid performance from Mee and defensive partner Jame Tarkowski at the back.

The latter was arguably Burnley’s best player on the day as he continues to push for an England recall, Tyrone Mings, who was on the opposite side at the weekend, having been given the nod by Gareth Southgate in the last Three Lions squad.

“He wants to get back in that England squad and he feels like he’s got a point to prove which is fantastic,” said Mee.

“He’s performing really well and we’re enjoying playing together.

“We’re looking really solid. We know each other’s games really well and we’re playing really well at the minute.”