VICTOR ANICHEBE is determined to keep Everton’s spirits high as he faces the prospect of leading the line on his own this weekend.

The 20-year-old reckons victory at home to Aston Villa is vital in terms of capitalising on the confidence gained from last Sunday’s 1-0 win at Tottenham, as Everton take on the side best placed to inherit their fifth-place finish.

Anichebe is shouldering responsibility up front in the absence of Yakubu, Louis Saha and James Vaughan, although he has only started three games all season.

But the Nigerian is dismissing the pressure to focus his efforts on helping his side make progress in the table by drawing level on points with Sunday’s opponents – who themselves are only one point off the top four.

“We are looking to build up our points because the league this year is crazy,” Anichebe said. “Heading into the Villa game, they are not too far ahead of us and they have done really well so far.

“But we are looking to build on that win at Spurs now. There’s no point being on a high then going back to a low.

“We need to stay positive and do well in the next game. We could have had a better start but we are coming together now.

“Last season it was us and Villa fighting for the same positions so it is important because we could be looking at the same again.”

Anichebe appeared in the win at White Hart Lane as a second half substitute for Louis Saha, who had already replaced Yakubu after he sustained his season-ending ruptured Achilles tendon.

Saha has been ruled out of facing Villa due to his ongoing hamstring troubles but he has been pencilled in for a return to action at Manchester City a week on Saturday.

This leaves manager David Moyes having only one fit striker with first team experience for just the one weekend, a situation that could have been worse given that Saha’s response to treatment was better than expected.

Vaughan, meanwhile, has had his knee operation in Colorado, and while Lukas Jutkiewicz is another forward who is fit, he is yet to make a senior appearance for the club.

But Anichebe is ready for the challenge and will dedicate himself to making up for the long-term absence of his Nigerian team-mate Yakubu.

He said: “The Yak will be a huge miss for us. Everyone knew at half-time at Spurs last weekend that his injury was quite serious.

“I went in to see him and he was so upset – and I was upset for him as well.

“But this might be an opportunity to get a few more games, hopefully I will take it. I am just going to try and give my best.

“I will just try and give 100% for the team, and try and do well for the people who were in before and take on their mantle.”

Moyes has called on the supporters to replicate the atmosphere of the last time Aston Villa came to Merseyside back in April.

The sides were going head-to-head in a fight for the one automatic UEFA Cup place available through the league last year and fought out a pulsating 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.

But although he acknowledges that only one home win this season has dampened the mood around Goodison, Moyes saw signs in London last weekend that the Everton supporters are ready to throw their full backing behind his side.

“We have not played that well to get them off their seat so far this season,” Moyes said.

“But now and again you do need the supporters to get off their seats and help the team as well. The supporters down at White Hart Lane were tremendous and let's hope we can give them something to shout about at Goodison.”

Tony Hibbert is one recent absentee who is set to return to the fold on Sunday after recovering from his groin injury.

TICKETS for Sunday’s match with Aston Villa are still available online at evertonfc.com, by calling 0871 663 1878 or by visiting the Park End box office.